Just DO IT.

You know what? I feel a rant coming on.

I am getting SO SICK of seeing people on Goodreads/Tumblr who are big fans of Anna and the French Kiss, asking if it's "worth it" to read Lola and the Boy Next Door.

JUST READ THE BOOK. Exactly how long did it take you to read Anna? It will take you THAT amount of time to read Lola. The only way to determine for yourself if it's "worth it" is by reading it yourself, but let me tell you why I personally think you should stop asking and just do it:

1. Same. Author. Her sense of humor and skill at romance did not change in between the two books. They are COMPANION NOVELS. Which brings me to my next point:

2. Anna and St. Clair are in Lola. That alone should be enough to make you pick it up.

3. Lola may not be anything like Anna, but that is not a bad thing. Remember all that time Anna spent trying to convince herself that she didn't feel a certain way, and then acting how she's expected to act? Lola does not do that. Sure, she misdirects her feelings plenty, but she doesn't spend a lot of time being who anyone else wants her to be.

4. The supporting characters in Lola are just as interesting as those in Anna. Lola's best friend is obsessed with Nancy Drew and detective work. Cricket's sister is a professional figure skater who loves her brother to a fault. Lola has two dads, and a biological mother with serious issues. And then there's Max, who is the magnetic bad-boy... All you see are the good things about him, until Lola herself starts seeing the bad things too.

5. Cricket Bell Cricket Bell Cricket Bell. Okay, so here's my thing: I realize how easy it is to swoon over Etienne St. Clair. Even to fall in love with him, if you like the dreamy, charismatic type. Me, I like the brooding, adorable, slightly nerdy type. [Anyone who's read Lola is now questioning my sanity for calling Cricket "brooding," but just hear me out] Cricket's been living in his sister's shadow for his entire life, silently and patiently dealing with his family's apparent neglect, because he supports his sister. He's not a complainer. He's talented, but down on himself because he doesn't think he makes useful inventions-- and there's that whole "my ancestor took credit for someone else's invention" thing. There is exactly one person for whom Cricket Bell wears his heart on his sleeve, and that is Lola Nolan. He's direct with her about his feelings, but respectful of hers as well. He stands up for himself when it comes to her, too-- both when he thinks his sister is being unfair to Lola, and when Lola leads him on. He knows the difference between Lola putting up a front, and Lola being her eccentric self (example: he makes sure to get on her parents' good side, because he knows she secretly wants their approval; he does NOT accuse her of being fake for wearing costumes all the time). I could go on and on about Cricket Bell, but please just take my word for it: you're going to love him.

Stephanie Perkins always talks about how difficult it was to wrench this book out of her. But I'm telling you, the struggle was worth it. This book is just as good as Anna and the French Kiss. So do Stephanie and yourself a favor and just read it.