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Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss, #2)

Stephanie Perkins

Start date: August 1, 2012

Finish date: September 1, 2012

Discussion: Book Of The Month

Discussion leader: Zee

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What Members Thought

Sep 03, 2011 Beckie rated it really liked it

Shelves: wanted, favorites, ya-chick-lit, library

Lola and the Boy Next Door was the second book I have read by Stephanie Perkins. My expectations for this book where pretty high since I so feel in love with Anna and The French Kiss and I must say I was not disappointed in the least. Now I will tell you that I do still love Anna better than Lola's story. Both books where so much fun to read and the author always finds a way to someone touch the readers hearts with such a beautiful and riveting love story. But this book is Lola's story, so here Lola and the Boy Next Door was the second book I have read by Stephanie Perkins. My expectations for this book where pretty high since I so feel in love with Anna and The French Kiss and I must say I was not disappointed in the least. Now I will tell you that I do still love Anna better than Lola's story. Both books where so much fun to read and the author always finds a way to someone touch the readers hearts with such a beautiful and riveting love story. But this book is Lola's story, so here is where it begins...

Lola is a free spirit, a very not normal girl, but in a good way. She never wears the same outfit twice. Lola always needs to wear something to make her stand out. She has a dream to be a clothing/costumes designer. Lola lives with her two Dads, has a wonderful BFF, Lindsey and a hot older boyfriend. Life is good! Until someone or should I say someone's from Lola's past come back to live in her neighborhood again. The Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket are back! While Lola is no longer friends with Calliope. Cricket is a whole another story. He is sweet, and caring, and the last time she saw her he broke her heart. Lola will now come face to face with the boy next door, and come to find that the feeling she once had for him are not buried away but coming back to the surface. A Romantic love story with hardships along the way, and choices will be made - Lola will need to follow her heart... but will it lead her to The Boy Next Door?

I absolutely adore this book. The story was light, fun and had such a sweet and tender romance between Lola and Cricket. At times I did find the pace of the book was a little slow, but other than that I so enjoyed reading about Lola's story. I was also very happy to find out that Anna and St.Claire where in the book a little. This is what authors call a companion novel which I found to really enjoy. It was fun being able to read what happen after Anna and St.Claire left Paris. The way Stephanie adds them into Lola's story was flawless. Both books for me have begun a blooming love for Chick-Lit novels. I have never really read many but after taking a chance on Anna and Lola I am HOOKED! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has read Anna and the French Kiss as well as just a highly entertaining read. I can so say that Stephanie Perkins has now found a new fan of her books, (me) and I hope she will continue to write. ...more

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Aug 24, 2013 Janus the Erudite Artist rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-paperback, 2013-tbr-pile

“Just because something isn't practical doesn't mean it's not worth creating. Sometimes beauty and real-life magic are enough.”

I was so glad I read this book throughout a weekend where Monday was a holiday, else I’d have to force myself to stop and get some sleep, and yet it would be one of those nights where I’d end up tossing and turning thinking about the book until the wee hours of the morning. And in the process of getting myself off the bed and preparing to go to work, I’d be mumbling to “Just because something isn't practical doesn't mean it's not worth creating. Sometimes beauty and real-life magic are enough.”

I was so glad I read this book throughout a weekend where Monday was a holiday, else I’d have to force myself to stop and get some sleep, and yet it would be one of those nights where I’d end up tossing and turning thinking about the book until the wee hours of the morning. And in the process of getting myself off the bed and preparing to go to work, I’d be mumbling to myself that I should have just stayed up all night finishing the book since I didn’t get much sleep anyway. Yup, perfect timing.

Lola and the Boy Next Door is one of those books that I enjoyed more because of the minor characters rather than the main protagonists. Don’t get me wrong, I like Lola and Cricket, but I just adore Lola’s Dads, I really have a soft spot for fathers, straight or gay. Nathan and Andy made reading through this book really fun. I love how protective they were towards Lola, much to her aggravation.

Plus Etienne and Anna being here added more entertainment to the story. I love how they are more relaxed and affectionate now since all the drama from Anna and the French Kiss has long passed on. Did I mention how witty Etienne St. Clair was? Seriously, he made things all the more interesting!

Lola’s passion with her costumes is admirable considering she’s at the age where everything seems so confusing, and these are the times where you’d want to find a click of friends where you would belong and truly feel wanted. It is also at that age where quirky little things about you would be seen as weird and made fun of. So I was really proud to see Lola staying true to what she believes in and does what she wants even though some people tend to tease her about it.

Cricket is a nice guy, maybe even too good for his own sake, but I like how supportive he was with Lola, and he is such a sweet guy. But he’s just not my type. I like my guys rough and rogue-ish. Cricket’s metro-sexual demeanor is just not the type of guy I’d be drooling over. Still, I’m happy for him and Lola.

Lola and the Boy Next Door may not be the kind of love story I’m attuned to, but there is definitely more to this book than just that. I think the highlight I saw in this book was the lesson of embracing who you are and what you love. Being passionate about something can truly take you places if you add dedication and resolve to the mix.

For more of my reviews, please visit my blog:
The Blair Book Project @ www.theblairbookproject.blogspot.com ...more

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Oct 09, 2011 bookaholiclover rated it really liked it

Lola and the Boy next door

Reading this book was so fun and exciting, it was something that you would like to read, it was budding, and fast-paced and definitely good, something that you would like to read of Perkins if you would like of her book. Definitely a to-read list for fans of hers.

Summary:

For people who were doubting on love, this was definitely one of Lola's when her past love Cricket came back. She was finally living the life but then her first love came back. Cricket Bell. ...more

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