Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

The Details
Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Number of Pages: 338 pages
Publishing Date: July 9, 2013
Publisher: Speak

The Synopsis

Lola Nolan is a budding costume designer, and for her, the more outrageous, sparkly, and fun the outfit, the better. And everything is pretty perfect in her life (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the 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.

The Talk

Stephanie Perkins is getting in my head. Literally.

This book was written SO gorgeously. From the characters to the plot to the climax, everything.

Let us start this review with the characters. I'm just going to focus on Lola and Cricket, but I'm also going to include tidbits about the others

First is the protagonist of the story, Lola Nolan. She is a fashion-geek with an eccentric taste, begging to differ by wearing wigs, lashes, dresses, and boots. She works at a THEATER, and guess who's she friends with? Read it and find out! She has a hot-rock boyfriend Max, and as far as the first half of the story goes, they love each other greatly. Lola also has two dads, Andy and Nathan, Nathan being the stricter father, Andy, the supportive one. One fact about Lola's personality is that she's an untrustworthy narrator. As you go along the story, you'd discover that she doesn't know if she's thinking or speaking. That's the crazy thing, other characters would just reply to her thoughts and you'd be dumbfounded because she was speaking all along. Another thing about Lola that I really liked is her confusion about her feelings. Don't get me wrong; I hate other protagonists for their dumb and stupid choices, but for Lola, sometimes her confusion clears things up for her. This makes me sad and happy and devastated, and I love Mrs. Perkins for this! <3

Then we have Cricket Bell! Oh glob he's as perfect as Etienne. He is VERY tall (6'4) and he wears clothes with a style mimicking that of Lola's. He is somewhat awkward, in an adorable way, and his reaction towards Lola's flirtatious remarks makes me smile, all the time, haha. He also tinkers with mechanical stuff, and he studies at Berkeley....... Yes, Berkeley. Lastly, he makes great sacrifices for his twin sister Calliope, such as the thingy between Lola and the Bells. He rectifies all of those things in their past, though, so all is good. AND THE FEELS. THE FEEL I TELL!

For the other characters, I'll just give "snappy" statements about them~

Norah: The mother, her progression through the story proves her maternal purpose.

Calliope: The twin, and the sudden change in the plot will make you grin, as it is satisfactory.

Max: The boyfriend. Think of Adam's status during Ignite Me.

Lindsey: The best friend.  Nuff said.

And now we move on to the plot!

*squeals*

The entirety of the story is based on what it feels like to wish for things to never happen, and they happen nonetheless. And it's also about realizing that sometimes, those "nonetheless" events aren't as bad as you thought they'd be.

The characters, and the happenings, are written as they are such that the book would not be considered as a cliche one. Just because it's a love story, it doesn't mean that it's cliche. Prove me wrong. I dare. 

The ending of each chapter leaves you hanging for more. The problems presented even in the first few chapters of the book are solved, and all of the doubts in the characters' standings in the friendship/relationship cycle are cleared up.

Lastly, the conclusion!!! I REALLY love how the book ended, with the sense of happiness and completeness. FEELS EVERYWHERE. FEELS ABOUT LOLA. FEELS ABOUT ANNA, EVEN! 

(oops)

This book was beautifully made. I promise you. It gets pretty emotional, but in a warm way, not a devastating one. 

Another round of applause for Stephanie Perkins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Rating

I give this book 4 out of 5 grenades! READING IT IS FUN AND EXHAUSTING. Yes, it's good, but I think it lacks something...... That Zing of Anna and the French Kiss. Nevertheless, I IMPLORE YOU TO READ IT!