Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Source: Library
Set in: San Francisco (U.S)
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
My thoughts:
I think I was probably the last ones to read Anna and the French kiss. I read it a couple of months back and although I didn’t love it, I did like it a lot. There were a couple of things I didn’t like about the book. Firstly I think Stephanie Perkins relied too much on the Paris setting and Paris does not do much for me. I mean I’m sure it’s a great city and all but I haven’t seen it and whatever I’ve seen on TV doesn’t impress me much. The second thing was Anna. I thought she was very irritating, I can’t pinpoint why but it’s very difficult to love a book when you don’t like the central character.
But I liked Stephanie Perkins writing so when I saw Lola and the Boy Next Door on the library shelf, I grabbed it because new books don’t tend to stay on the shelf for long. And I loved this book. It was a very fun book to read with a few serious issues covered as well. I loved Lola, I think she was a very colorful and fun character. I liked the way she dressed and loved that she was artistic and loved to design or mix and match her costumes. She was a very fun character to read about and she would be a fun person to be friends with as well.
The Boy Next Door, Cricket, was well, perfect. It works only because it’s a romance novel. There are many other things I loved about the book as well. I loved the authors writing. She reminds me of Sarah Dessen and although I love Sarah Dessen more I think Stephanie Perkins is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.
The second thing I liked was Lola has gay parents and I love that Stephanie Perkins had the courage to portray something like this. She showed that gay parents can bring up a perfectly normal child. The characters were great as well-Cricket’s sister, Lola’s friend Lindsey, her parents. Oh and if you loved Anna and the French Kiss, you’ll love this book more, because here we get to see what happened to Anna and St. Clair after Paris. And they don’t take over the story, they kind of blend in and Lola and Cricket are still the central characters.
Another thing I loved was the San Francisco setting. Stephanie Perkins describes a city really well and she makes me want to visit San Francisco sometime. Also, I love that Lola and Cricket have lives outside of their love story.
So, in conclusion, I would say I really loved this one. And if you haven’t read these books yet, I would suggest you start with Anna and the French Kiss first.
January 9, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Sounds like I need to read both books. I avoided Anna and the French Kiss in the past because Paris doesn’t do anything for me, but this related book seems very promising from your review.
January 11, 2012 at 7:56 am
yeah I understand but even though Paris doesnt do anything for me, Anna and the French kiss is still a very entertaining book.
January 9, 2012 at 6:18 pm
This sounds so fun and adorable – I can’t believe I forgot to include it in my recent acquisition spree! You’re right, Perkins is a major rising talent in YA.
January 9, 2012 at 11:44 pm
I haven’t read any of Stephanie Perkin’s books yet, though I’ve both of her books in my pile. I need to remedy that!
January 10, 2012 at 2:00 am
I understand when you say that her writing reminds you of Dessen. Have been feeling so myself. I loved the quirky Lola and her parents and the whole set up. One fun book!
January 10, 2012 at 2:41 am
I still haven’t read Anna and the French Kiss. I probably should since I love Paris.
January 11, 2012 at 7:57 am
oh yes, you definitely should, for those who love Paris Anna and the French Kiss would be double the delight.
January 14, 2012 at 7:38 pm
I haven’t read Anna and the French Kiss yet – I want to read it before I read this one.
January 15, 2012 at 4:23 pm
So happy you loved this one! Perkins definitely is one of my new favorite authors.
February 1, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Stephanie,Thank you so much for accepting my friend request. I gotten your first book Anna & The French Kiss back in November, for my birthday and i finally had some time to read it in December. I loved it. You became one of my favorites from moment i read that book. I am planning read Lola & The Boy next door soon. I will always look forward to your novels.