Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door


Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins

Synopsis:
     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. 

Thoughts on the Book:
     I love this book as much as I love Anna and the French Kiss. The story is so cute and so is Cricket Bell. What Etienne St. CLair lacks, Cricket Bell has. 
     Cricket Bell is 6'4'' tall. Compared to Etienne, well he is taller. If there's one thing I don't like about him, it's his name. It gives me creeps. Who names their son Cricket?!
     If you ask me who I prefer, I'd still go for Etienne. I guess I like him more because he's confident and knows what his girlfriend wants. He seems to know what he's going to do next.
     The weird dress creations and wigs of Lola bothers me by the way. I mean, who wouldn't find her weird if she goes on walking in the neighborhood wearing a pink wig, an eccentric dress and a weird looking boots.
     What's good with Cricket is the way he accepts Lola even at her worst. He even encourages her to do things she loves. I loved the idea of him, doing Lola's hairdo for the prom. Any girl would loved that. I wonder if there's any guy out there who could do that. I'd love to have one.
     If you're looking for something sweet and funny, or if you want to feel good after reading a depressing novel, I'd recommend you to read this one. It's really cute!

Quotes from the Book:
"History books are filled with lies. Whoever wins the war tells the story."
"Life isn't about what you get, it's about what you do with what you get." 
"Sometimes beauty and real-life magic are enough." 
*** 
"How did you know? That she wasn't the one for him?"
 "They just didn't have that...natural magic. You know? It never seemed easy."
"Do you think things have to be easy? For it to work?"
"No. I mean, yes, but...sometimes there are...extenuating circumstances that prevent it from being easy. For a while, but then people overcome those....circumstances, and..." 
"So you believe in second chances?"
"Second, third, fourth. Whatever it takes. However long it takes, if the person is right."
"If the person is...Lola?" 
"Only if the other person is Cricket." 
***

"You've built up this idea about me, this ideal, but I'm not that person. I'm not perfect. I am far from perfect. I'm not worth such a beautiful story."
"Lola. You are the story."
"But a story is just that. It isn't the truth." 
"I know you aren't perfect. But it's a person's imperfections that make them perfect for someone else." 
Rating: 5/5

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