Absolutely, positively adored this book. I wasn't sure going in what I would think. New author, first book...add in the fact that it's new adult, and the scale could have tipped either way. Happy to report that it tipped toward the good book feels. 
 I immediately connected with the main character, Talia, and as soon as Bran came on the scene, I was hooked, koala and all. I have a thing for surfers. I'm from the bay too, and Santa Cruz is close to my heart in a lot of ways. She couldn't have done this any better for me. 
 Talia, whose sister passed away the year before, is setting out on an adventure. She's leaving home to visit Australia for a semester, to hide her compulsions and keep from her parents a little longer that when the summer is over, she won't be graduating from college as expected. Once in Australia, Talia's main goal is to have fun, to do what she promised her dying sister. To live her life and see things. And then she meets a literal koala on the street, fighting with a guy in a suit. 
 Which introduces us to Bran. A surly, gorgeous Aussie with a bad attitude and too many notches on his belt. He's jaded and a little bit rough around the edges, but he can't seem to stay away from Talia, and she's having the same problem. 
 These two together just made me smile and feel and like I said, I adored it. There were a few points near the end where I was sure this would be a very shouty-capped and angry kind of review, but Lia pulled it all together and left me smiling and happy and totally looking forward to the next book in this series. I need more Bran and Talia!! 
 If you haven't added this one to your TBR yet, DO IT NOW. I promise you won't be disappointed.