Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

my rating: 5/5 stars

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.

My Review: OMG STEPHANIE PERKINS, YOU HAVE DONE IT AGAIN. In all seriousness, can I marry you? No, really! We can just lie out in the sun all day, sipping fruity drinks with those little umbrellas in them while you tell me wonderfully magical love stories that make my heart burst BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST SO DARN TOOTING' CUTE. It will be wonderful :) But really, this story was incredible. If you haven't read either one of Stephanie's novels yet, I am so sorry! You have no idea what you're missing out on, other than major swoonage and heart-bursting-from-too-much-cuteness dysfunction. I have read many romance stories, but none of them can really compare to Ms. Perkins wonderfullness :)

I was really worried I wasn't going to enjoy Lola as much as Anna. After reading so many "it's not as good as Anna!" reviews, I figured even if the story wasn't as good, I'm sure I would still enjoy it. Turns out, I loved it just as much :) Cricket and Lola are a lot different from E'tienne and Anna, which I loved! Lola was so quirky and such an individual with her costumes and home life, while Cricket was a big, adorable (very cute!) nerd. Everything between them was so believable and real, I felt like I was living their story with them! I wish I had a boy like Cricket in my life, because he knew just how to hit my flutter buttons :) I also really enjoyed how Anna and E'tienne were entertwined in the story. They played just the right part in this novel, and I enjoyed seeing them and revisiting their story. Everything about this novel was so wonderfully perfect! :)

Ugh, why is when I love a book to peices, I can't seem to find the find the words to describe how I feel?! That is totally what is happening to me now! All I have left to say is get this book. Read it. LOVE IT. Then wait another sad, impatient year while Ms. Perkins writes another one, because really, life revolves around her stories :)