Publisher: Speak
Release Date: September 28th, 2011
Pages: 338
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Series: Anna and the French Kiss, #2
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Lola Nolan is a budding costume designer, and for her, the more outrageous, sparkly, and fun the outfit, the better. And everything is pretty perfect in her life (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the negihborhood. 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.
I can’t believe it has taken me this long to read Lola and the Boy Next Door! I’ve seriously been missing out on the adorableness that is Lola and Cricket (and Anna and St. Clair) since I finished reading Anna and the French Kiss too long ago.
Now, if you’ve never heard of these books before, don’t get turned off by the cheesey titles. And if you have and love these books, then you already understand my obsession. Beware, major fangirling about to ensue.
I want to mention first that I was not expecting there to be SO MUCH ANNA AND ST. CLAIR. THEY’RE ACTUAL SIDE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK! What???? I was NOT expecting that, and I LOVED it (hence my use of ALL CAPS).
But back to Lola and Cricket, this book’s main lovebirds. Lola was perfect for her quirky and spunky style. Cricket was perfect because he was that awkward friend from childhood that lived next door. The story was just perfect because it was SO STINKING CUTE.
Okay, this isn’t much of a review, but I’m sorry, I can’t (virtually) talk about this book without (virtually) squealing over the amazing cuteness that is this book. I just can’t. You probably can’t either if you’ve read this book, too.
So, why only 4.5 out of 5? Because although this book had Anna and St. Clair, it didn’t have that same thing (because I don’t know what this thing is to describe it), that their love story did. Naturally I would compare this to Anna, so therefore I took off half.
But if you couldn’t tell from the previous parts of this fangirling excuse of a review, I loved Lola and the Boy Next Door and if you like contemporary romance, you HAVE to read this book! ❤
Books & Cleverness 
I think I liked this over Anna and the French Kiss because CRICKET. AND LOLA. They’re just PERFECTION. And I loved Lola’s dad and their pie company. SO CUTE. SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS BOOK. And I also love that you loved this.
I love how you expressed your love for my love in this comment. Lol xD no but seriously these books are perfect. I don’t see how people can NOT love them!
I LOVE STEPHANIE PERKINS. I gotta agree with you though, LOLA was a bit slow-paced for me than ANNA but nevertheless, no shortage of squirming and gushing!
Yeah…but it took nothing away from my adoration of Stephanie Perkins’ writing and cuteness, that’s for sure!!
I liked Lola but it did’t quite capture me as much as Anna did! I think it was definitely my least favourite of the series!
I need to read Isla now! But I own the books in paperback and my library doesn’t have Isla in… OH NO WHAT WILL I DO?!?! :O
I adored Isla! It was just so fluffy and the ending IS BILLIONS PARTS ADORABLE! (Caps were a hundred percent required and necessary.)
You’ll just have to kidnap Stephanie Perkins and make her recount the tale to you verbatim. It is the only way.
Oh YAY! And that sounds like the perfect idea. Very reasonable considering my circumstances too, I would say! 😉 😛
No jury would convict you.
Two words: CRICKET. BELL. Seriosuly. I almost didn’t even care about the rest (though obviously I did). Cricket freaking Bell. The ultimate nice guy, and also could someone deliver him to my doorstep please and thank you?
I’m glad you ended up loving this! I know there are some people who enjoyed Lola less than Anna, but I’m glad you joined the club of yay-for-both-Anna-and-Lola! I personally loved this one, too 🙂
By the way, if you want a little more Anna/Etienne and Lola/Cricket, aside from a new amazing ship, DEFINITELY read Isla & the Happily Ever After. There are some amazing cameos in that one 😀
Haha, right?! I wish I had a Cricket to live next door to…
And yes I am so pining for Isla right about now! I need more adorable, cutesy romance! ❤
I just read Lola (after not reading it for far too long, just like you) and I loved it too! Except I actually liked Lola more than Anna. I don’t know. Something about it feels more right to me 🙂
Great review. I totally understand why the squealing wants to happen. The cuteness is overwhelming.
I adore both of them, and I could totally see how you loved Lola more. Both stories were similar but different, if you get what I mean. And thank you — squealing is often something I do while reading (in my mind if not out loud, haha!)! 🙂