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Jenna's Reviews > Lola and the Boy Next Door
by
bookshelves: 2016-reads, 4-star-books, contemporary-reads, romance-reads
Stephanie Perkins has not disappointed me yet! Lola and The Boy Next door is about 17 year old Lola (or Dolores, if she's in trouble). She has an older boyfriend, strict parents and a great best friend. Her boyfriend Max is 22, in a band and totally cool. Her dads are strict, but caring and other than their strict dating rules, Lola doesn't mind. Lindsay is her best friend and can sense when something is up or guess how Lola is feeling almost immediately. Lola thinks she's happy with her life until her neighbours move back in. Her neighbours left 2 years prior and they did not leave on good terms. Their return brings anxiety, curiosity, trouble and lot's of confusing feelings for Lola. I consider this book a contemporary but also a romance since the main plot line is about Lola's relationships.
The writing in this book makes for a quirky, fun-loving read. It shouldn't take you long to read and you'll get right into the story. I love Stephanie Perkins writing style and can't wait to read even more of her books!
One of my favourite parts about this series is the quirky but relatable traits/thought processes of the characters! For example; this is an excerpt from Lola and The Boy Next Door that I found particularly funny:
"I wonder if he's looking at my butt. WHY DID I JUST THINK THAT? Now my butt feels COLOSSAL. Maybe he's looking at my legs. Is that better? Or worse? Do I want him looking at me? I hold on to the bottom of my dress as I climb into the backseat and crawl to the other side. I'm sure he's looking at my butt. He has to be. It's huge, and it's right there, and it's huge. No. I'm acting crazy."
It's parts like this that get me laughing and feel connected to the character. Even if you can't relate, it's nice to be able to see their thought processes and you get the chance to understand the character.
I gave this book 4/5 stars because I genuinally enjoyed it and would recommend. It didn't get 5 stars due to a certain plot line (view spoiler) and how it dragged on for most of the book. They could have been wrapped up faster but to drag it on that long made me extremely frustrated with Lola's decisions. Another reason I only gave it 4/5 stars is because certain plot lines were never finished. I didn't get closure with them or find out what happens! (view spoiler)
Overall I really liked this book and would recommend it if anyone needs a fun book to read! It's really refreshing to read after a depressing book or high fantasy book.
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Quick, expressive and smooth writing means another one of Stephanie Perkins books! This book isn't 5 stars for me due to the plot mostly. It was extremely predictable, but not only that, the MC was in a relationship with someone while she lead on and pursued another guy. I wasn't a huge fan of that, especially for how long it dragged out for. Anyways I will publish a full review this evening!! This is just a quick summary of what I thought!
Quotes Jenna Liked
One day, the boy had to move away. He couldn't bring the girl with him, so he brought the stars. When he'd look out his window at night, he would start with one. One star. And the boy would make a wish on it, and the wish would be her name.
At the sound of her name, a second star would appear. And then he'd wish her name again, and the stars would double into four. And four became eight, and eight became sixteen, and so on, in the greatest mathematical equation the universe had ever seen. And by the time an hour had passed, the sky would be filled with so many stars that it would wake the neighbors. People wondered who'd turned on the floodlights.
The boy did. By thinking about the girl.”
― Lola and the Boy Next Door
― Lola and the Boy Next Door
― Lola and the Boy Next Door
"What thing?"
She stares at him. He stares back. She cocks her head toward Cricket and me.
"Ah, yes." St. Clair stands. "That thing."
They rush out. The door shuts, and St. Clair shouts, "Lola, Cricket wants to show you his thing, too-oo!”
― Lola and the Boy Next Door
― Lola and the Boy Next Door
― Lola and the Boy Next Door
"Your father invited the former love of your life in for pie."
"Yeah, that's what I thought.”
― Lola and the Boy Next Door
Reading Progress
STOP LYING. I get it that she's defensive and wants to be loyal but Max knows what's up and she continues to lie to his face"
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Perkins is the mother of cute, quick and quirky <3 Can't wait for your review!
Yes she is!! I am super excited to read Isla now!
i am about to read this book xD
I can't wait to see what you think!!
Loved this review!! I personally think this book is better than Anna and the French Kiss!
