"Lola and the Boy Next Door" by Stephanie Perkins

From Goodreads: "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."

Stephanie Perkins makes me so happy. Seriously. This book was WAY more than I could ask for and then some (and dare I say it? I may like this more than its predecessor "Anna and the French Kiss", mainly because this book had Lola, Cricket AND Anna and St. Clair) and after finishing it, I couldn't wipe the huge smile off of my face nor could I get rid of the bubbly feeling in my chest (nor could I help this 'review' turning more so into a SQUEE fest than a legitimate review).

Cricket was basically perfect,  but better yet, he didn't know it- so he wasn't all (like some YA male characters), " I know I am perfect and, yes, I also know that I am the shizzzz", nor was he condescending, unrealistic or unapproachable in the slightest. He was just sweet and charming and generous and cute and smart AND basically a million other things, but I will spare you from me listing them all. I think that all boys should be forced to read this book because they could learn a thing or two from Cricket (I am only slightly kidding).

As for Lola? Well, in all actuality had this been another book (written by another author, with a different male lead), I probably would have been annoyed by her behavior (especially her selfishness) but I wasn't whatsoever because Stephanie made everything all sparkly and loveable. Furthermore, the secondary characters of this book were fantabulous, each was so unique and well developed (even Norah and Max).  

All in all, as I am sure it has become evident, I cannot say enough good things about this book. If you have yet to pick up one of Stephanie's books, you are truly missing out (and when you FINALLY decide to, I am sure that you will kick yourself for taking so long to do so).

Rating: 10/10