Andrea Reviews: Lola and the Boy Next Door (Chick Lit Week: Day 3)

Friday, May 01, 2015 0 Comments A+ a-

I happen to be very proud of myself for getting this far with the reviews. Day 3 of our Chick Lit Week is Lola and the Boy Next Door! According to Goodreads, it is the 2nd book to Anna and the French Kiss which means it's actually a series. Look at that, just beginning and we're already learning something new.

There are spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Also, I guess it would be good to note that I've heard a lot of people love this book. I didn't. And if you think there's a possibility of you murdering me after reading this, please discontinue and skip this one.





Goodreads summary:

Lola Nolan is a budding costume designer, and for her, the more outrageous, sparkly, and fun the outfit, the better. And everything is pretty perfect in her life (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the 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.













Let me just put this out there: I think this book is a little bit overrated. I was actually very excited to start this one because I was told it's better than the first book, but no, I am sorry, but no, I personally don't think so.

First of all, I didn't really like the characters because they were a little too hollow. In the beginning, I thought the characters were pretty interesting and the personalities were diverse, but it only lasted until the first few pages. Mid-story, the characters lost the personalities I actually wanted to read about. Cricket would've been an amazing character if developed more, same goes for Lola. But, in the end, the same label was stuck to them: gifted inventor and costume designer.

On another note, the whole Lola and Max break-up and confusion didn't really hit me. What Lola did to Max was really selfish and all throughout it was made to look like Max was the villain. In the beginning he was so perfect and Lola loved everything about him, then suddenly he becomes this guy who she never even liked in the first place? So, Max broke her heart when she was the one who broke up with him and spent weekends with Cricket behind his back? I don't know, but I hated that. I hated how little of their relationship was given much importance.

A little anecdote on that: I despised the whole Lola and Max sudden break up. It gives me less faith on Lola and Cricket ever working out. Why? Well, Lola dated Max for 2 years if I'm not mistaken, and she said so herself, all this time she spent with Max, she thought he was the one. He was included in her future plans. And then suddenly childhood neighbor comes back, she sees him through and a window and bang. She's in love with Cricket. Max isn't the one. If Lola was able to blindly date Max for 2 years, thinking he was the one, but he wasn't and she ended up breaking it off, what makes her think her and Cricket will work out?

Ugh. I don't know. I hated Lola's personality mid-story 'til the end, to be very honest. She was whinny and selfish. And I desperately looked for other aspects that would balance this out, but I found none.

There were good points, of course, such as the dialogue. I actually like a whole lot of lines and quotes from this book. I actually think Stephanie Perkins is good when it comes to dialogue. They're clever and I liked it.

I am probably the worst book critic/reviewer because I don't know how I really feel about this. Maybe I'm taking it to a personal level too much. But, yeah, I'll stop now.

I know a lot of hardwork was put in this book and I definitely didn't want to just throw that aside and point out everything that's wrong with the book. The things I said are merely my own opinions on the book. You, of course, have your own say on the book as well. :)

The "A" in LAMP,
Andrea

P.S.
I was disappointed with this 2nd installation to Anna and the French Kiss, and I'm really not feeling the 3rd book, Isla and the Happily Ever After. :( So, yeah, I'm sorry but I don't think I'll be reviewing the 3rd book in the series.

P.P.S.
I loved this :")

A Veterinarian in the making. She loves dogs, turtles, pastries, books, and videogames.

May the comments be ever in my favor (or not)