The Lifeguard by Deborah Blumenthal

The Lifeguard

Deborah Blumenthal

Published: March 1, 2012

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company

ISBN:080754535X

Description:

It's an unsettled summer for Sirena. Back in Texas, her family's splitting apart, but here in Rhode Island, at the cottage of her aunt, it's a different world. There are long days at the beach and intriguing encounters with Pilot, the lifeguard with shamanic skills. Sirena explores her obsession with Pilot and discovers his mysterious--almost magical--gifts.

Review:

Rating:

*Highlight over the white bits to see spoilers

To be honest when I first picked up ‘The Lifeguard’ I wasn’t all too interested in it. The description of the book sounds like the typical love story. The typical a girl is going through a tough time and falls in love during summer vacation.

But I was pleasantly surprised by the wonderfully captivating story this book told. I was really impressed by the characters. They weren’t your typical fairy tale love story main characters. Sirena had real problems. Her parents getting divorced really tore her whole world apart and instead of doing her usual routine for summer by going to camp with her best friend, Marissa. She is forced to go say with her Aunt Ellie in Rhode Island, who she barely knows.

Her life takes a lot of new turns and has new meaning as she begins volunteering at the local hospital, reading to the children. Her eyes really begin to open to the world around her. She also meets Antonio, an eighty year old man who is an amazing painter and a brilliant man. Antonio becomes a mentor to Sirena and helps her with a lot more than just getting her talent to paint back.

Then there is Pilot, who is just the most beautiful human being on the planet to Sirena. Her brain just couldn’t seem to function around him. He was gorgeous yes but he wasn’t like anyone she had ever met. He was mysterious and quiet and seems to be around whenever anyone is in trouble.

So when Sirena is in a terrible accident that brings her very close to death will Pilot be her hero and come to her rescue.

‘The Lifeguard’ was a beautiful story I found myself caught up in the story. You become very emotional. So many things happen in this story that will really tug at the heart strings. ‘The Lifeguard’ was a definite treat; I would recommend this book to anyone looking to escape into a life of love and fantasy. I give in four stars.

*The Book Blogging Beauties received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley & Albert Whitman & Company. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books etc. We were not compensated for this review.