Lifesaving For Beginners by Ciara Geraghty

“Lifesaving For Beginners” is the fourth book by Irish author, Ciara Geraghty.

Kat Kavanagh lives in Dublin. She thinks she is love with Thomas but can’t bring herself to tell him her dark secret from her past. Kat has a few secrets, like her job as one of the most successful crime writers in the world.

Milo McIntyre lives in Brighton with his mam and older sister, Faith. He does lifesaving classes and loves hanging out his mam’s cafe the Funky Banana with his best friend Damo. But then one day Milo’s world comes crashing down on him as he and Faith uncover a secret that will take them on an adventure, to Dublin and right to Kat’s front door.

“Lifesaving For Beginners” was such an enchanting book that I couldn’t put it down.

Written as a dual narrative from the leading characters Kat and Milo, it was fascinating to see the perspectives from two completely different people. Kat is 39 years of age, who has become accustomed to being her own best friend and enemy. Whilst verging slightly on the reclusive side, not wanting anyone to get too close to her, apart from a select few including her best friend Minnie Driver and her Down Syndrome brother, Ed. I loved Ed, he was terribly sweet and had an innocence about the world and life, that made the world seem like a better place.

The star of the book for me had to be Milo. I loved him, I loved his naivety, his wisdom and most of all, I loved how he made everyone around him feel better, by just simply being in his presence. As Ciara wrote, he was a tonic, helping Faith get through the hard times. And to quote young Milo, he was a “legend”

“Lifesaving For Beginners” is a superb book that will have you captivated into the small hours. Filled with wit and moments of a darker side which occasionally makes for emotional reading as Kat struggles to deal with letting people get closer to her.

Ciara Geraghty has proven just how wonderful a writer she is, she can quickly adapt herself as a reclusive 39 year old crime writer to a 9 year old trainee lifesaver, in quick succession flowing the two characters beautifully throughout the story, never once confusing the reader.

With one of the prettiest covers of 2012, “Lifesaving For Beginners” is a wonderful triumph of a book.

[amazon_link id=”0340998113″ target=”_blank” ] You can buy Lifesaving for Beginners on Amazon [/amazon_link] and other good bookshops.