Lola and the Boy Next Door by 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.

Lola and the Boy Next Door took my breath away. Stephanie Perkins has a way of writing that makes you so engaged in the story that you are happy when something good happens and sad when something bad happens and you really feel all of the emotions going on in the book. Lola and Cricket had electric chemistry and are really adorable together.

With this novel, Perkins has solidified herself as one of my all time favorite authors. Her first novel Anna and the French Kiss was tied as my favorite book of 2010 and it looks like Lola and the Boy Next Door will either be tied again, or will take 1st place as my favorite book of 2011. Reading a Stephanie Perkins books is effortless. It’s as easy as breathing because of how natural her books are written.

Lola was adorably eccentric. I loved her interest in costume and could really understand how she felt at home in her crazy clothes. Cricket was way more than a boy-genius. Even though he is described as being this perfect inventor, he had real imperfections and it was nice seeing that.

Stephanie Perkins has written yet another book that I will reread countless times. She’s gotten everything right. I cannot wait to read her next novel!

FTC- Publisher.