"What happened on the Greenbelt?" That's the central mystery that drives the narrative in this gripping novel. Set in an affluent suburb near Austin, Texas, the story revolves around the death of a young woman in the neighborhood. As the investigation unfolds, secrets simmer beneath the surface of seemingly perfect families, and suspicions run high among the tight-knit community.

The author skillfully constructs the story through alternating perspectives, offering glimpses into the lives of the neighborhood's residents and their intricate web of relationships. The chapters are structured to reveal snippets of conversations on the community message board, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative.

With its engaging plot and vibrant characters, this murder mystery is a captivating page-turner. Readers will find themselves drawn into the world of the neighborhood, eagerly piecing together clues and unraveling the truth behind the tragedy.

I wasn't really sure what to think going into this book. Afterwards, I feel that it left so much on the table and unresolved while it rushed a quicky ending. I really struggled to keep the characters straight and found the detective just to be odd. This is not one I am going to remember, Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley,

The Lifeguards by Amanda Eyre Ward dives into the simmering secrets of a seemingly perfect suburban community. Told from the perspectives of three mothers and their teenage sons, the story takes a dramatic turn when the boys discover a body.

The novel explores themes of motherhood, friendship, and the facades we maintain. Ward utilizes a unique format, incorporating police reports, text messages, and even neighborhood forum posts to weave a suspenseful narrative.

Be warned, the book can be a bit slow at times with a large cast of characters. However, if you enjoy domestic thrillers with a layer of social commentary, The Lifeguards may be just your poolside read.

What a great novel, that took me way too long to pick up! Centering on three boys and their mothers who will do anything to protect them. Immediately i needed to know what was going to happen when its stated in the beginning the fates of the three mothers. I really enjoyed the alternating POVs of the mothers and a lead detective on the case. I completely empathized with the mothers and the lengths they went to for their sons, as a mother of two boys. I generally like a novel that his completely tied up in the end, so that was tough for me as this one left the reader to imagine some things on their own. But i did really enjoy this book!

this was a pretty fine beach read type of novel, thought it might have a bit of a mystery element based on the synopsis but was really just a straightforward family story. quick, well written read

I really could not get into this book. It was one that whenever I put down I had no interest in going back to. The drama that unfolded in an affluent suburban town just didn’t really do it for me.

I did not love this book, and it took me a really long time to finish. I felt the overall goal of the book fell short and was filled with a cast of unlikable characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for my digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Honestly, I have to DNF a couple chapters in. I just couldn’t get into it and it wasn’t for me.

Part mystery and part family drama, this book is told from the perspectives of three women, along with the local detective who was tasked with the investigation of body that was found by the women's sons on a nearby greenbelt. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and thought it was a mostly interesting story but it just really didn't stick with me in the end and afterwards. I was hoping for some character development too but was left empty-handed. Also, some of the descriptions of the boys by the mothers were a bit...weird(?).

3 moms, 3 sons - a murder in their Austin, Texas neighborhood.

Felt a little like a wanna-be "Big Little Lies." Easy vacation type read - fast enough paced but missing depth to make it at all believable.

2.5 rounded up to 3.

This was a fun and fast paced story that kept me entertained. I didn't feel like I connected with any of the characters like I have in several other books, but I still enjoyed it. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

In "The Lifeguard" by Amanda Eyre Ward, a captivating narrative unfolds that explores the intricacies of life, love, and the unexpected turns that shape our paths. Ward's evocative prose draws you into the lives of the characters, making their struggles and triumphs feel incredibly real. Set against the backdrop of a coastal town, the novel beautifully delves into themes of redemption and second chances, weaving a story that tugs at your heartstrings. With its rich character development and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience, "The Lifeguard" is a poignant and moving read that lingers in your heart even after you've reluctantly turned the final page.

Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I requested this book because it was being promoted as suspenseful and surprising. I love a good plot twist. And yet, this one fell short for me. It didn't read as being entirely realistic and the plot was left somewhat unresolved.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I am not sure what made me request this one other than I loved the colorful cover of it. I am glad I was drawn to the cover, though, because it was a really good book. The Lifeguards is a tale of a mystery within a tight knit community in Austin...a story of friendships between families and what each one would do to keep their own children safe...it all started with some teenagers finding a body and it ended in a way I never saw coming...

The Lifeguards by Amanda Eyre Ward is a domestic thriller about three moms and what happens one night when their sons find something terrible. This was a fun, fast-paced story about friendship and what mothers will do to protect their children. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

"The Lifeguards" is a heartfelt and introspective novel that delves into themes of friendship, growth, and the challenges of navigating adulthood. Set against the backdrop of a beach community, the story follows a group of lifeguards as they navigate the complexities of life, love, and the responsibilities that come with their demanding profession. With its well-drawn characters, authentic dialogue, and poignant exploration of personal struggles, "The Lifeguards" offers a captivating and relatable glimpse into the triumphs and tribulations of young adulthood. It is a compelling read that beautifully captures the bittersweet moments of self-discovery and the enduring bonds of friendship.

I was confused a lot reading this. Multiple POV had me trying to remember who was who. It was slow and I couldn’t get into the characters. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review

Thanks so much for the review copy. I enjoyed this one ore than The Jetsetters. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Ward.

I thoroughly enjoyed this quiet summer sleeper novel! A mystery wrapped in a mother's fierce protective love, this story begs the question, "What would YOU do if this were your child?" Fantastic!

Liza, Annette, and Whitney are friends, neighbors, and confidants. Their sons are best friends, all 15 years old and spending the summer as lifeguards for their neighborhood pool. When the boys find the body of a young woman, they remain pretty closed off from their moms and the police. What really happened that day and who was involved?

Written in the perspectives of the three mothers, the story is told with the help of social media posts, texts, and police reports. Coupled with the author navigating the timeline from past to present and back again, the story is pretty fragmented. The novel is more about the mothers' dilemmas', will they choose morality or their family.

Ultimately, I wanted to like The Lifeguards more than I did. Usually a quick reader, it took me a long time to finish this book. I kept putting it down and, when I picked it back up, it was difficult to trudge through the story. I found it hard to care about any of the characters and, for that reason, I would hesitate to recommend it to other readers.