Lola and the Boy Next Door Review

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publication Date: September 29, 2011
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5

 “And if I'm the stars, Cricket Bell is entire galaxies.”
― Stephanie Perkins, Lola and the Boy Next Door

Summary: 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. 


My Thoughts: Oh. My. Goodness. I LOVED this book. This was such a breath of fresh air with the plot and the chracters and the romances. Definitely on my list of my top ten favorite books.

  Quite a while back I read Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins; and I fell in love with that one. I was reluctant to read Lola and the Boy Next Door because many reviews said it was good, but not as good as Anna. I was afraid it wasn't going to be as good and that I would be disappointed. I wasn't. In fact, I liked it better than Anna and the French Kiss.

  I really loved that Lola- despite her costumes- found herself by the end of the book. The journey to it wasn't easy, but that's what made her so interesting. I really liked her as a character.

  Oh, and I loved Cricket. Pretty much the best fiction-guy-character ever. The way Lola described him was perfect and he made me smile.

  I can't say anything was wrong about this book because, in my opinion, nothing was. I loved the "girl/boy next door" feel and I didn't want the book to end. I TOTALLY recommend it. :)

~Bradi

P.S. I can't wait to get my hands on Isla and the Happily Ever After!

Stacking the Shelves (#3)

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

My friend recently read this book and LOVED it. She was so obsessed with it and insisted I read it. I've heard amazing things about this book and I can't wait to read it!

Borrowed: Hardcover, from a friend

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Although I've only read City of Bones so far, I decided to buy Clockwork Angel 1.) it was on major sale and 2.) I think I might like it better. People will not stop talking about the Infernal Devices Trilogy, so I want to see what all the fuss is about!

Bought: Paperback, at Books-A-Million for $3.00

Lola and the boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Obviously I had to buy this book when I saw it. My local bookstores haven't been carrying this book so when I saw it I knew I needed it. I read Anna and the French Kiss last summer and became obsessed with it. This being the companion, I can't wait to dive right in!!

Bought: Hardcover, at Books-A-Million for $16.99

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

While at the bookstore I saw a table that said "Best in Teen Fiction." I was looking through the table and came across this book. I read the synopsis and instantly knew I wanted it. It sounds so compelling!

Bought: Hardcover, at Books-A-Million for $17.99

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

I saw this book in the bargain book section and I have to say, the cover drew me in. It sounds creepy but amazing at the same time.

Bought: Paperback, at Books-A-Million for $2.97

If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

I loved the synopsis of this book. It sounds so mysterious and interesting. I can't wait to read it!!

Bought: Paperback, at Barnes & Noble for $9.99

Read any of the books? Let me know how you liked them!

Just One Day by Gayle Forman Review

Title: Just One Day
Author: Gayle Forman
Publication Date: January 8, 2013
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 5/5

“You have to fall in love to be in love, but falling in love isn't the same as being in love”
― Gayle Forman, Just One Day

Summary: A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!


My Thoughts:  This is my third Gayle Forman book in a row. I read If I Stay, Where She Went, and Just One Day one after the other. Let me just say this: This is one of the best books I've ever read. I loved it so much. Everything about it intrigued me. I found myself laughing and crying and swooning over Willem. This book had a pretty big effect on me.

  So this book is about a girl named Allyson who's on a summer trip in Europe with her best friend. But the trip is less than exciting. At the end of the trip she meets a boy named Willem, things happen, and the next thing she knows she's going to Paris with him for a day.

  I really connected with Allyson. She's just like me in a lot of ways. I loved Willem because he was really nice and sweet and so fun to read about. Their adventures in Paris don't get off my mind and I'm constantly thinking about it.

  What makes this book different is the fact that after the day in Paris, Willem is gone and Allyson has to take the time and effort to find him again.

  If you liked Gayle Forman's other novels, or if you're a fan of contemporary, I highly recommend this book. I loved it SO much and I simply cannot WAIT until Just One Year comes out! 

~Bradi