Upside Down - Lia Riley

Published 5th August ebook

Blurb:

If you never get lost, you'll never be found…

Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying goodbye to painful memories and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she'll pretend to be a carefree exchange student.

She’ll try to forget about the mistake under the boardwalk and the terrifying moments of panic and OCD. Everything is going to plan until she meets a surly surfer with hypnotic green eyes, and the troubling ability to see straight through her act.

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he slunk back to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defences. He's never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. A single semester abroad won't cover something this serious. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once in a lifetime . . . or if they were meant to live a world apart.

Upside Down by debut author, Lia Riley is a bright new adult novel which tells the story of 21 year old Natalia Stolfi who embarks on a journey to Australia in order to escape from her turbulent life back home. Despite her OCD, there are some things that cannot be controlled. Natalia meets Bran and the two go on to save one another in ways which neither could possibly have imagined.

This is the first novel in a brilliant new series which deals with everyday issues in extraordinary ways. We really hope that you enjoy the book as much as we do.

Praise for Upside Down:

'Upside Down gave me all the feels. Romantic and poignant, the journey of love and acceptance lingers long after the book is closed' Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn, # 1 New York Times bestselling author


Review:

I don’t read many New Adult titles, so when I was offered Upside Down by debut author Lia Riley I thought this would be a good one to get started with.

Talia is a twenty one year old exchange student on her way to Australia for six months. It’s not long that she is there and meets surfer hunk Bran.

I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, learning about the main character Talia, I enjoyed reading about her family and the issues she was trying to overcome. However little more than at the second chapter we were in Australia, this to me happened too quick; we were suddenly introduced to the love interest and I felt there was no time to just ‘enjoy’ the surroundings.  

I thought I was really going to enjoy this story, having been to Australia myself I felt I would be able to connect to the surroundings and dream about being back there again. Unfortunately this didn’t happen, I didn’t feel like I was hooked in this story and I didn’t feel like I connected with any of the characters either. This made the book a little of a struggle for me to read as I felt I had to force myself.

The way the story is written is good, each chapter we come across one of the characters and what is going on through their point of view. I did like the way that this was set out, and it made it easy to follow.

Bran is the love interest in the story and I found him a little unlikable. He spent most of his time being a typical boy; however I felt he didn’t come across too well. During his chapters when I learnt more about him, my opinion of him never improved.

Both of the main characters have their own issues and problems that they are trying to overcome and find each other in the process. Bran tries to ignore his feelings but it is inevitable that they should be together.

The actual storyline was O.K, there were times when I felt the reason she was in Australia was missed...I wasn’t actually sure what she was studying until half way through the book. I would say this book relies heavily on the romance which is great if that is what you are looking for. This book is definitely a romantic emotional rollercoaster.

Overall the story was O.K, I didn’t think it grabbed me and at times I found it hard to want to read it as I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. The story has been written well and if you love New Adult Romance, I am sure you will love it. Personally it just wasn’t for me, which is a shame as I really wanted to like it.

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with this copy in exchange for an honest review.