REVIEW: Lola and the Boy Next Door

The companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss, Perkins' debut novel, Lola and the Boy Next Door does not disappoint. 

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 neighbourhood.
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.

One of the things that I loved most about Lola and the Boy Next Door was Anna and Étienne's presence in the plot. Although they definitely could not be classed as major characters, they were not minor either. They provided comic relief and other friends for Anna while continuing Anna and Étienne's at the same time. 

The concept was really cute; girl who loves costuming wants to make Marie-Antoinette like dress for prom. Parents do not approve of her older boyfriend and hunky, old flame moves back in next door - conflict set. Spark Ignites. Match.

What is so great about Perkins' books is that all the characters are likeable. Even the ones who you aren't supposed to like don't annoy you. I loved Lola, Lindsey, Cricket and Lola's parents. I didn't really like Max, and I thought that Cricket annoyed me at times - just tell her that you like her already!

The series of events ticked along. I always found myself looking forward to the next event - never disappointed with the outcome. The end was satisfying, tying up the strings with all the characters and plot lines. 

If I could only use one word for Perkins' novels, cute would sum them up. Perfect, light, fluffy, they sweep you off your feet for a while with swoon-y romances and warming characters.

A definite must read for any 13-17 year old girl who likes Stephanie Perkins, contemporary novels with a touch of romance or if you liked Kisses for Lula by Samantha Mackintosh or any Meg Cabot novel.

123 Excited Week at Between the Lines

I'm loving reading about these books coming out soon from Penguin!

Check out the posts from this week so far here:
123 Excited Week is about giving three reasons why the team at BTL is so excited about the upcoming releases of these books. Besides the fact that they want to tease us.

123 Excited Week
Sunday July 10th                    The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
Monday July 11th                   Days like this by Allison Stewart  &  Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Tuesday July 12th                   The Fear by Charlie Higosn  &  Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen
Wednesday July 13th              Beautiful Days (BYT #2) by Anna Godbersen
Thursday July 14th                 Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Friday 15th July                     Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe

Anna and the French Kiss Giveaway - Sharing the Love!

Because I  love Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins so much, I have decided to giveaway a copy away.

To enter, simply fill out the form below for your chance to win. 

Every time you join The Book Slooth on other sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads AND/OR spread the word on your blog, facebook, twitter, goodreads or myspace etc, you get one extra entry into the competition.
Thanks!

To find The Book Slooth in different places, go to the sidebar.

REVIEW: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Debut novel of Author Stephanie Perkins, Anna and the French Kiss is a heartwarming novel about finding yourself, and finding love.

When Anna is uprooted from her last year in High school in Atlanta, Georgia and forced to attend boarding school in Paris, she is not happy.
But when she meets heartthrob Etienne St. Clair. the summer starts to look up, maybe with the prospect of romance in the mix...
I tremendously enjoyed this vibrant novel by author Stephanie Perkins.


The characters were true-to-life, all bringing a unique characteristic to the table that completed the overall mood of lightheartedness. The plot was well developed, each stage bringing you a step closer to the enjoyable outcome.

Pure escapism, this novel was light, fun and easy to read. It kept you interested with not a dull moment. I didn't find any characters that annoyed me and I think that Anna was a well drawn protagonist, with Etienne coming in as a great male lead.

I will definitely check out the companion novel where Anna and Etienne make an appearance, Lola and the Boy Next Door. 

I recommend this book for teenage girls aged 12- 17 - Great Fun!

Reviews Coming Soon...

Look out for these reviews coming soon, but in the meantime, I thought I would tease you with their delicious plots...
                                                         
ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS BY STEPHANIE PERKINS


Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more.  So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris-until she meets Etienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Etienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true.  Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

 BEAUTIFUL CREATURES 
BY KAMI GARCIA AND MARGARET STOHL

In Ethan Wate's hometown there lies the darkest of secrets . . .
There is a girl.
Slowly, she pulled the hood from her head. Green eyes, black hair. 
Lena Duchannes.
There is a curse.
On the Sixteenth Moon, the Sixteenth Year, the Book will take what it's been promised.
And no one can stop it.
In the end, there is a grave.
Lena and Ethan become bound together by a deep, powerful love. But Lena is cursed and on her sixteenth birthday, her fate will be decided.
Ethan never even saw it coming.

THE LIFE OF A TEENAGE BODY SNATCHER 
BY DOUG MACLEOD

Thomas Timewell is sixteen and a gentleman. When he meets a body-snatcher called Plenitude, his whole life changes. He is pursued by cutthroats, a gypsy with a meat cleaver, and even the Grim Reaper. More disturbing still, Thomas has to spend an evening with the worst novelist in the world.
A very black comedy set in England in 1828, The Life of a Teenage Body-snatcher shows what terrible events can occur when you try to do the right thing. 'Never a good idea,' as Thomas's mother would say.