Lola and the Boy Next Door

by Stepahnie Perkins

[Angie]

Lola and the Boy Next Door is easily one of my all-time favorite reads. I just freaking love Lola. She does her own thing. She dresses weird. Really weird, like in costume weird. She never wears the same outfit twice, and she's just as likely to wear a sequined prom dress as you are to wear jeans. I LOVE her. I dressed weird as a teen, too, which is probably why I feel this kinship with Lola. We are the same! Although she lies significantly more than I ever did, but that's part of her journey. She's comfortable enough to dress how she wants, but she has trouble saying what she really thinks or feels to avoid conflict, therefore causing conflict.

Other than my undying love for Lola herself, Lola and the Boy Next Door has one of the most adorable romances ever. Lola and Cricket had been neighbors and good friends, on and off for years, as he followed his twin's skating schedule. Then, two years ago, they had a falling out, but it turns out that they never stopped liking each other. I loved how Cricket tells Lola how he feels instead of hiding it. He also didn't pressure her to return his feelings after learning she had a boyfriend. They went back to being friends. Awkward friends, but friends just the same. And I wanted to smoosh them together!

I just really, really, really love Lola and the Boy Next Door. Lola is great. Cricket is great. Lola and Cricket are great. Lola's dads are great. Cricket and Calliope are great. BFF Lindsey was great Even Norah was great once she got her crap together. Everyone was great! I love them all! I loved everyone's interactions with everyone, and the vast amount of unconditional love, and everyone helping everyone when they need help. It just gives me all the warm fuzzy feelings.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.