Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door.

                                                                                       Author: Stephanie Perkins

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

Review: Stephanie Perkins is talented. She has an ability to make you swoon over a guy even if he is not perfect and can turn an average story special. She gives depth to her characters and they appear more realistic. “Perfect is overrated. Perfect is boring."I smile. "You don't think I'm perfect?""No.. You're delightfully screwy, and I wouldn't have you any other way.” MAX I liked Max. Yes, he turned mean in the end but we all know that was going to happen. Even then he had his moments. “Saw two fallen branches in the shape of a heart. Thought of you.”  aww...now isn't that cute? CRICKET Here’s the thing about Cricket Bell. You can’t NOT notice him when he walks into a room. The first thing that registers is his height, but it’s quickly followed by recognition of his energy. He moves gracefully like his sister, but with an enthusiasm he can’t quite control- the constantly moving body, hands, feet. He’s been subdued the last few times I’ve seen him, but he’s fully revived now.”  Cricket is never described as a "sexy Greek god".He's awkward, too tall, filled with self-doubt and all these things make him more real and more amazing. And then he is a "nice guy" and they are really underrated. We all want to make a "bad boy" turn "good" for us but what about the guys who are already nice. Do we ignore them in the process?  I hope not. LOLA She is complex. Her costumes, I get that she is talented but personally I think she did that to prove some point. She irritated me because she was clearly in love with Cricket but just not ready to accept the fact. I guess I just don't understand her. I liked the story. It's not as good as Anna and the French Kiss but Anna and Etienne do make an appearance and they are so cute together. I wanted more of them. “If I weren't standing next to your boyfriend, I'd be tempted to ask you out myself."She blushes, and St. Clair bounds inside the box office and wrestles her into a hug. "Miiiiiiiiine!" he says."Cut it out." Anna pushes him off, laughing. "You'll get fired. And then I'll have to support your sorry arse for the rest of our lives.”