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.
I didn’t think it was possible but I loved Lola and the Boy Next Door even more than Anna and the French Kiss. It was cute, funny, heartbreaking, and so romantic. Isla and the Happily Ever After can’t get here fast enough (and I hope there are cameos from Lola, Cricket, Anna, and Etienne in that one.)
Lola is a bit of a misfit. She dresses in costume and nobody, not even her quirky dads or punk rocker boyfriend, know what she will look like from day to day. It does tend to make her an outcast at school but she is okay with that because she still has her boyfriend Max and her best friend Lindsey. Things heat up when the former love of her life, Cricket Bell, moves back in next door and Lola’s life goes topsy turvy. Cricket is sweet, funny, quirky, smart, and ridiculously romantic. He also broke Lola’s heart once but he is easy to forgive (at least to readers.) And he just happens to be friends and dorm neighbors with Etienne St. Clair (squee!) I loved the cast of characters in this book especially because Anna and Etienne were in it. I really loved Andy and Nathan, Lola’s dads. Everybody was just fabulous!
Normally I don’t like tons of descriptions about character’s wardrobes but in this case it was necessary and I thought it was fun. Lola’s personality really shows through her sense of style and I loved her for her bravery. Cricket’s sense of style was also a little out there but he made it work. He is my kind of guy!
Overall, Lola and the Boy Next Door is a new favorite of mine. I know my review is all gushing but please believe me when I say that you need to read this one!