Lola and the boy next door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the boy next door
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.

Original Language: English
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Country: United States
Publication Date: September 29, 2011
ISBN: 9780525423287
Page Count: 338


I just couldn't stay away! I didn't dive straight into it after Anna and the French Kiss (as much as I desperately wanted to) and I'm glad I took a moment away. I let myself read M.J Putney's latest YA release (review to come) in my breaks at uni yesterday...before starting Lola and the boy next door on the bus home.

I can't say I loved it, not the way I loved Anna and the French Kiss, but it was a great read. Unfortunately, reading it so soon after A&tFK meant I was constantly comparing the two. Which disappointed me a little thanks to the many similarities in the stories. Two people, desperately in love, and meant for each other, kept apart by a relationship with a controlling older partner. Both girls have 'burning lions' (thanks Alecks) and the boys' eyes bug out everytime their girl dresses up.

Basically, lots of hormones, lots of longing and a lot of drama. It doesn't matter though; Perkins makes up for the similarities through a gorgeous new cast (and a return of two very special favourites from A&tFK) who keep the grin on your face. Lola (born Dolores) has two gorgeous and very strict Dad's who are quite anti-boys...understandable once we learn about Lola's birth mother. What can you say about Norah? She's a pain in the ass, but I can't help liking her.

Lola's fashion sense is all kinds of awesome - who doesn't wish they could do whatever and not care - and her Marie Antoinette dress makes me ridiculously jealous. So does her admirer...Cricket Graham Bell, great-great something grandson of the 'inventor' of the telephone. He has some strange habits, the mind of a genius and one hell of a crush on Lola.

The story is a bit slow in places - especially with all the 'why me?' drama - but when everything pulls together in the end, it's hard to mind.

Raiding Bookshelves Rating

Judging by the cover: It's cute, and I love all the colours mashed into into the Lola models outfit without trying too hard. The Cricket (seriously...that's a name?) model seems too handsome, he needs to be Topher Grace cute and lanky.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss

Stephanie Perkins

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris -until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Ana might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.
As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers- have long awaited?

Original Language: English
Publisher: Dutton
Country: USA
Publication Date: December 2010
ISBN: 0525423273
Page Count: 384

It's been a long time since I read a young adult romance. I've spent this semester reading dusty classics about dark heroes, short stories written by Australian immigrants and struggling through my media law text. So picking up Anna and the French Kiss gave me the opportunity to relax with some light, fun and irresistibly sweet reading.

Despite beginning with a whiny rant about being sent to boarding school in Paris (jealous much?), Anna becomes like a best friend. We see her excitement, her fears, her desires and her passion for movies, boys and everything Paris. She has her (repetitive) moments of teenage sullenness and stupidity, but who doesn't? I'd rather see a flawed Anna than a perfect one - it makes her easier to relate to. I love her anti-germ warfare (I can relate) and her determination to fight her feelings for St. Clair.

Speaking of which...he is funny, good looking, sweet and incredibly stupid. I agonised over his ridiculous dedication to Ellie, and his complete ignorance of Meredith, not to mention the way he keeps coming back for more Anna when we all know he shouldn't (but definitely want him to).

Perkins creates a very romantic image of Paris - from the Opera singer outside Anna's room each night, to the point zero star. It doesn't feature as heavily as I would like, but it makes a very romantic backdrop for a heart winning relationship.

Raiding Bookshelves Rating

Judging by the cover: It has everything it needs! The romantic Parisian background (it's most iconic building) and a couple sitting together and leaning forward eagerly, but always keeping that distance between them.

May book of the Month: Anne of Green Gables

L.M Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables has been one of my favourite books (and series) since I was a little girl. When I had the option of studying it and writing an essay on it for my children's literature class, I took it immediately.
This of course lead to me reading the entire series; it's impossible to let Anne go once you get to know her.
Anne of Green Gables is the sweet story of an orphan, adopted by accidents by the elderly Cuthbert siblings who wanted a young boy to help on the farm. Her sweet, dreaming but vivacious personality bewitched them and they chose to keep her. Anne get into occasional scrapes, makes silly mistakes and flies into awful tempers but no one can help loving her.
I encourage everyone (boys included!) to take the time to go on adventures with Anne Shirley.

Raiding Bookshelves Rating