"Our love should make us a success. 
 Max kisses my neck. My chin. My lips. His kisses are hungry and possessive. Max is the one. We love each other so he has to be the one. 
 He tears himself away. 'This is the real me. Is this the real you?' 
 I'm dizzy. 'This is me.' 
 But it tastes like fear on my lips. It tastes like another lie. 
 If you're OK with not being honest with yourself for a long time, this book is the one for you. I mean it's pretty obvious from the start with Lola. I was pissed when she couldn't do it. She just didn't! She makes bad decisions; one after another. It's like she can't do anything right ever since Cricket came: 
 "'Since you invited us? Last week? Remember?' Anna adds at my confusion. 
 I don't remember. I was so worried about Max touring and the day trip with Cricket that I could have invited the editor of Teen Vogue and forgotten about it. 'Of course. Thanks for coming.' I say distractedly." 
 Until everything goes right(view spoiler)[when it comes to the ending, of course. (hide spoiler)] 
 This book was not like Anna and the French Kiss. It didn't unleash the feels that I had hoped to developed like I did with Anna and the French Kiss until the end of the novel. Which was a little disappointing because I can see that it can be boring at some point because nothing really happened. I wanted a lovey - dovey romance with a sprinkle of drama, but I didn't get all of that. More of family, costume fashion I didn't really care about, etc. In conclusion, I couldn't understand why this book would be rated 5 stars for some people. 
 As a matter of fact, there was a part of me that didn't care about Lola's fashion (or costume), or about all the characters (Wait, I felt sorry for Max). Though, Lola's costume trend reminds me of my friend actually because she similarly dresses like her. I wished that I wouldn't be like that, but it's just like that. (Hahaha) I thought it was unnecessary, the whole costume thing. Frankly, I didn't like it. But I guess Stephanie wanted to make Lola 'unique' and 'different' than Anna. And I understand that, I really do. Just don't overdo it. Yet, at the same time, I'm awed by how she has the courage to dress like that in public - which is appreciated and inspires me a lot. You don't see that every day (besides my friend). Even Cricket. I'm in disbelief on how he's able to construct an automaton. Questions were swirling in my head How did he get the materials and the space? But it's all answered by his great-great-great grandfather. That must've been a frick ton of money. 
 It looks like I kind of disliked this book, but there are also pretty good aspects. 
 Lola and the Boy Next Door has more Realism than Anna and the French Kiss. From first impression, it seems that it'll be one of those swoony boys-next-doors kind of story. But Cricket is just a normal, nice guy anyone can fall for. On top of that, unrequited love, overprotective parents. Almost anyone can relate to that; family drama, whatever. 
 The ending was the practically the only part that was swoony and lovely, and I treated it like it was treasure! I got the feels! Was it worth the read? Sure, yeah. There were parts where I couldn't stop reading and I wanted to stay in that world. So I prolonged it. 
 I want more of Stephanie Perkins! Her writing is easy and light and flows. It doesn't linger, it goes at a soft, normal pace. Easy, yet riveting. No doubt, going to read Isla and the Happily Ever After! 
 *-*-* 4.50 Stars! -*-*