Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Format: Advanced Reader Copy
Source: Borrowed
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 5+ of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

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. (Goodreads)

Stephanie Perkins has officially made it onto my “automatic pre-order author list” (so far, a list of one). I waited to post this review in order to tame down my gushiness but I don’t think it’s possible. I absolutely loved – LOVED – this book! It actually gave me stomach butterflies while reading it, no joke.

Lola and the Boy Next Door is a companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss (my review here), and it was fan-freaking-tastic to be with the characters Anna and St. Claire again. They show up quite often in Lola, and it’s a definite treat for fans. Prior to reading this, I had heard some people say that they thought Lola was even better than Anna… but I just didn’t think it could be possible. I’m still not sure I’d say it’s better, but it is definitely just as good fantastic!

I think my favorite thing about Perkins’ writing is her characterization; her characters are all so realistically flawed. I loved the tall geekiness of Cricket, and the spunkiness of Lola and her obsession with costumes. I also loved how honestly Perkins depicted teenage life and alternate lifestyles (Lola has two dads for parents)… it is so refreshing to see this realism in YA. Most of all, I loved all the little moments between Lola and Cricket. I didn't think anyone could unseat Etienne St. Clair from his pedestal, but Cricket did... or at least forced him to share it!

If you can’t tell from my review, I HIGHLY recommend these books! In my opinion, they are the best of YA contemporary. I can’t wait for my pre-ordered finished copy of Lola to arrive (releases 9/29/11) so I can read it again, and I'm already pining for the next companion novel, Isla and the Happily Ever After! Seriously, I would read anything Stephanie Perkins writes.

Stalk the author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday (6)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The week's WoW feature is:

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins(Goodreads | Amazon)Release Date: September 29, 2011Publisher: DuttonGoodreads Synopsis:

In this companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss, two teens discover that true love may be closer than they thinkFor budding costume designer Lola Nolan, the more outrageous, 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 move back into the house next door.
When the family returns and Cricket - a gifted inventor and engineer - 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.

I absolutely loved every second of reading Anna and the French Kiss (if you couldn't tell from my review)... and I'm dying to get my hands on Lola and the Boy Next Door. I've already been hearing fantastic things, if only I could get my hands on a copy!

What book are you eagerly waiting for this week?

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Release Date: December 2, 2010
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Age Group: Young Adult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon

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 Étienne St. Claire: 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? (Goodreads)

Love love LOVED it. I read this in less than 24 hours... I just didn't want to stop reading, and I was sad when it ended. Every character is well written - flawed and realistic. I felt like I knew them, that Anna's friends were my friends. Ugh, and St. Clair is completely swoon-worthy and now possibly my favorite male fictional character. What made this love story so sweet, is that it wasn't an instant romance. It was the gradual, real, relationship building good stuff.

I have to say that I also loved that this book took place in Paris! I actually studied abroad right outside of Paris when I was in college and it was hands down one of the BEST experiences of my life. I could relate to Anna about how she learned her way around the city (except I didn't hesitate to get out and do things). Reading about the city and her experiences was like the cherry on top of the best sundae ever (I know, complete and utter CHEESE... but this book does that to me)!

This made it onto my favorites book shelf. I know this is a book I'll be picking up again and again. Seriously, one of the best YA books I've read. I can not wait to read more from Stephanie Perkins.