Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Lola and the Boy Next Door summary
Brief summary
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins is a heartwarming young adult romance novel that follows the story of Lola, a quirky aspiring fashion designer, and her complicated feelings for the boy next door.
Table of Contents
Lola and the Boy Next Door
Summary of key ideas
First Impressions and Rekindled Feelings
In Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins, we meet Lola Nolan, a quirky and confident high school student with a penchant for eccentric fashion. She lives in San Francisco with her two dads and her best friend, Lindsey. Lola's life is going smoothly until her former neighbors, the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.
Cricket Bell, the boy next door, was Lola's first love. However, their friendship ended abruptly when the Bells moved away. Now, Cricket is back, and Lola is forced to confront the feelings she thought she had buried. She is also surprised to find that Cricket has grown into a handsome and charming young man.
Complications and Conflicting Emotions
As Lola and Cricket reconnect, Lola's current relationship with Max, a 22-year-old musician, becomes strained. Max is possessive and controlling, and Lola begins to realize that their relationship is unhealthy. Meanwhile, Cricket's presence stirs up old feelings, and Lola finds herself torn between her past and present.
Adding to the complexity of Lola's situation is the fact that Cricket is still in a relationship with Lola's former enemy, Calliope. Despite this, Cricket and Lola's chemistry is undeniable, and they find themselves drawn to each other. However, Lola is hesitant to act on her feelings, fearing the potential fallout.
Self-Discovery and Acceptance
As the story progresses, Lola begins to question her identity and the choices she has made. She realizes that she has been hiding behind her outlandish costumes and eccentric persona, using them as a shield to protect herself from the world. With Cricket's support, Lola starts to embrace her true self and confront her fears.
Simultaneously, Cricket grapples with his own internal conflicts. He is torn between his loyalty to his sister and his growing feelings for Lola. Despite the obstacles, Cricket and Lola's bond deepens, and they find solace in each other's company.
Resolution and New Beginnings
In the climax of Lola and the Boy Next Door, Lola finally ends her toxic relationship with Max and confesses her feelings to Cricket. However, their happiness is short-lived when Calliope discovers their secret romance. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Cricket chooses to support his sister, leaving Lola heartbroken.
Despite the setback, Lola refuses to give up on her love for Cricket. She attends the school's winter formal, where Cricket performs a grand gesture to win her back. In a touching reconciliation, Cricket and Lola reaffirm their love for each other, ready to face whatever challenges come their way.
In the end, Lola and the Boy Next Door is a heartwarming tale of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the enduring power of first love. Lola and Cricket's journey reminds us that sometimes, the most significant growth happens when we confront our past and embrace our true selves.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Lola and the Boy Next Door about?
Lola and the Boy Next Door is a young adult romance novel by Stephanie Perkins. It tells the story of Lola, a unique and creative girl who is happily dating the perfect boyfriend. However, when Cricket, her former crush and the boy next door, re-enters her life, she begins to question her feelings and choices. The book explores themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery.
Lola and the Boy Next Door Review
Lola and the Boy Next Door (2011) by Stephanie Perkins is a captivating young adult novel that explores themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers a heartwarming and relatable story of young love, with well-developed characters that draw readers in.
- The book tackles complex emotions such as insecurities, misunderstandings, and personal growth, making it a realistic and compelling read.
- With its quirky humor and delightful setting in San Francisco, the book is a delightful escape that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.
Who should read Lola and the Boy Next Door?
- Teenage girls who enjoy young adult romance novels
- Readers who like stories with relatable and quirky characters
- People who are interested in exploring themes of friendship, love, and personal growth
Categories with Lola and the Boy Next Door
Book summaries like Lola and the Boy Next Door
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Lola and the Boy Next Door FAQs
What is the main message of Lola and the Boy Next Door?
Lola and the Boy Next Door is a heartwarming story about love, self-discovery, and finding the courage to be true to yourself.
How long does it take to read Lola and the Boy Next Door?
The reading time for Lola and the Boy Next Door varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Lola and the Boy Next Door a good book? Is it worth reading?
Lola and the Boy Next Door is worth the read. It's a charming tale that will make you smile and warm your heart.
Who is the author of Lola and the Boy Next Door?
Stephanie Perkins is the author of Lola and the Boy Next Door.
What to read after Lola and the Boy Next Door?
If you're wondering what to read next after Lola and the Boy Next Door, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
- A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda