#BIR2011 Day 3: Lola & The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

By: Stephanie Perkins

Published by: Dutton/Penguin Books

Released on: September 29th, 2011

In this companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss, two teens discover that true love may be closer than they think.

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. -quoted from Stephanie's site

First she gave us Anna & St Clair and then she followed them up with Lola & Cricket and what a lovely follow up they are! Lola makes me wish I had her as my personal vintage shopper and Cricket makes nerdy boys look hot! That's of course not all the reasons why we love this book. Anna and St Clair are in the book, Stephanie's writing is just as beautiful as it was in Anna & The French Kiss and she creates characters who feel so real they had us wishing we could spend some time with them. I mean, have you read about Anna's dads yet?! Who wouldn't want to meet them or spend the day with Lola, Cricket, Anna and St. Clair. Plus, you know we can't not love a good, realistic, modern day love story!

Hi Stephanie! Thank you so much for joining us today for our BIR201 feature. Lola is such a fun character to get to know. What's one thing you admire the most about her?

Thank you very, very much. I admire Lola’s sense of self, even if it is temporarily shaken. It took me a lot longer than high school to be comfortable in my own skin.

We love Lola's fashion sense. What is one of your favorite vintage pieces that Lola owns?

A vulture hat.

NO WAIT. That was in that other book I wrote.

A vulture hat.NO WAIT. That was in that other book I wrote.

Lola's fathers are fabulous!! We absolutely loved them. Were they inspired by someone you know, or a combination of people?

They’re inspired by my own straight parents more than anyone. I didn’t want them to be a THING, you know? I just wanted them to be good fathers, and my parents are great role models.

Cricket...*sigh* He totally won our hearts. What inspired you to write Cricket and Lola's story?

Thank you. I’m quite fond of him myself! I bought the idea for their story on the black market. I think it came from Russia, but its serial number had been scratched off.

We LOVED your setting for Lola. What's one of your favorite places to visit in SF?

I loathe the tourist trappings of Fisherman’s Wharf, but the grumbly sea lions that hang out there are magnificent.

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Thank you Stephanie for stopping by today!!

Be sure to visit Stephanie via her Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

Purchase Lola & The Boy Next Door at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | The Book Depository

You can read my 5 star review here

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THANK YOU to Penguin/Dutton Books, we have 1 copy of Lola & The Boy Next Door we're giving away!! To enter, please fill out the form below:

* US Residents only (NO PO Boxes)

* You must be 13 yrs & older to enter (or have a parent/guardian's permission to enter if under 13)

* 1 entry per person

* This giveaway ends on 12/17/11

Don't forget to stop by the BIR blog for our other 2011 favorites, Julie Kagawa's The Iron Queen & The Iron Knight!