I read this because of Angie's review, which made me hunt down the ebook version immediately.

Well, raw is right. RAW BLUE is hard-hitting, yet full of the uncertainty and the "growing-up" that I love about YA books.

The Aussie voice is wonderfully authentic and so different from the other books out there that it immediately felt refreshing while doing the trick of immersing me in Carly's world on the other side of the planet.

And surfing - where do I start? I've never surfed in my life, and I admit I have no more than a passing interest (if that) in the sport, and yet it didn't matter at all. Carly lives and breathes the surfing culture, therefore I did as well.

RAW BLUE ends with Carly trusting in herself, independent, and willing to grow up - and if she still has some open issues to work through with her family and friends, you close the book with the feeling that she's ready to do so.