Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Genre: YA Romance
Publication Date: September 29, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Source: Loaned from Library
Rating: 5/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:
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 Opinion:

This is the second book by Stephanie Perkins. If you haven't read her first book, Anna and the French Kiss, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to read it first before Lola (though not really required). You'll not regret reading it. Besides, Anna and Etienne from the first book appears here too, so you won't want to miss it!

This is a girl loves boy since childhood but guys moved away so she got a boyfriend. But then boy is back and she's caught in between so who to choose? Boyfriend or childhood boy? This is the story of Lola and the Boy Next Door. You think this is a normal story? You are so wrong! Lola is talented and has a colorful sense of dressing and what could be more interesting than having 2 fathers? Wow.

Characters are really good. Besides Lola and Cricket (the childhood boy), there's Max (her boyfriend), Lindsey (her best friend), Calliope (Cricket's twin) and more. Each is unique and realistic. What's there to say than to read the book for yourself?

5/5 Stars for Lola and the Boy Next Door.

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Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Genre: YA Romance
Publication Date: December 2, 2010
Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 5/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:
Anna can't wait for her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a good job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's not too thrilled when her father unexpectedly ships her off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair, the perfect boy. The only problem? He's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her crush back home. Will a year of romantic near-misses end in the French kiss Anna awaits?

"Perkins's debut surpasses the usual chick-lit fare with smart dialogue, fresh characters and plenty of tingly interactions." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Very sly. Very funny. Very romantic. You should date this book." - Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author

"Tantalizing pacing, sparkling repartee, vibrant supporting characters . . ." - Gayle Forman, New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay

My Opinion:

One simple word to describe the book: AWESOME! 

I've been hearing about this book a lot on the net and wasn't disappointed after I've read it for myself. 

Follow Anna as she was thrown into School of America in Paris alone. Naturally, she's totally upset. But she met her neighbor Meredith and her gang of friends (Etienne included). So everything is normal in school except for her crazy attraction towards Etienne which grows while she was still thinking of her would-be-boyfriend Toph, plus the fact that Etienne has Ellie. (Booo...) 

Etienne is just too sweet... bringing Anna to places just because he knew she wouldn't leave the school/residence if no one asked her. So they had great fun. I seriously want to bash Etienne for behaving the way he did a few times in the book. Is he clueless? So ok, he may not be the most perfect guy who has a girlfriend and yet kept hanging around Anna (you the the reason why he did that-hanging around Anna I mean) but why did it had to take so LONG for him to figure out. But boy, when it did, it made my heart flutter! *dreamy sigh* Anna, keep him well!! 

Lots of things happened in the book. You'll love their little venture outside of school and everything else. Give a book a try! 

5 Stars for Anna and the French Kiss!

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