Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

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. (GoodReads).

ITS OFFICIAL. I am in love with Stephanie Perkins books. As Perkins's bio on GoodReads says  her books "have funny bits and kissing, so you should totally read them." So true! Lola and the Boy Next Door was awesome, but I have a feeling you all already know that.

Level of Absurdity: 2. So low! Lola is wacky but never absurd.

Level of Originality: 7. I love that these characters all tap into ideas we can recognize but all feel fresh and 3-dimensional.  Nothing feels stereotyped--I was a happy reader!

Level of Paranormal Romance: 10. Take St. FREAKING Clair and add CRICKET. I swooned so hard I could have floated off into space and not been surprised. Sign me up for a tall love interest with an adorable name.

Level of Harry Potterness 6. I am increasingly impressed how Perkins includes such a wide range of characters and families--both the good and the bad and the tough--without ever making it "an issue" or writing "an issue book." The characters are just real people with messy, complicated bits. Amazing!

Can I say that I am a HUGE sucker for these graphic cityscape covers? I would totally read this in public. Love!

PS: I read this book in 4 hours. True love. 
PPS:Please let me know what books this one reminds you of so I can continue to devour contemporary YA romances!