This book has a huge and positive focus on genuine character development, and I really appreciated getting to know them and their histories fully. As far as others books in a similar genre go, this one looks at much more than the superficial relationships between characters, which is important when dealing with the various tricky topics that appear throughout. The pace dipped towards the middle and end, I found, but the well-written content earlier kept me reading,

Very timely and speaks to the popular culture of wild swimming, whilst tackling a variety of deep discussions in often a light-hearted manner. A great summer read and one I was left thinking about after I turned the final page.

DNF - Gave up after 5%. Found the fact it was set during Covid and lockdowns, rather jarring given the main characters lack of care about covid restrictions. And I just don't want to keep being reminded to the pandemic. And even half way through I was still confused which character was which, and what their story is, and thus each chapter was taking me far too long to adjust to the new focus.

Suspect there is a great story in there, but I lost the will to continue reading. Sorry.

This was a fun, easy read and is an easy way to while away an afternoon.

There were quite a lot of characters in the 'Sea Gals', and at first I found it difficult to keep their various situations separate. I love how they bonded and grew through their shared sea swimming hobby and it definitely rescued them all from various trials and tribulations. It is set against the backdrop of COVID, which might make this a confusing read in the future - it is funny how quickly we forget how many of our freedoms were temporarily curtailed during the lockdowns.

The book does address some thorny issues: particularly Maddy and Jamie, but they are done quite gently and are all resolved satisfactorily at the end.

I really love the concept of this book. Life is all the better when you surround yourself with people who support and love you and it is reciprocated.

The Sea-Gals are such a great group and really quite funny. My friend and I are hoping to start cold water swimming and this book as given me a funny insight into what it might be like.

Poor Helga is going through a lot, but I love that she has the Sea-Gals to help her get through the rough times.

I really like the connection to the pandemic but it's just mentioned now and then and is really relatable.

I love the chat on the beach that Claire and Ash have. It's something all teens should know about whether they're male or female. I like how concerned Ash sounds when his mum shares it with him.

This book is emotional, romantic and funny amongst other things, it's a really heart-warming story and I love the different characters and how the author dips into details in each of their lives. They're all connected but have a very different time and experience with one shared thing of being part of the Sea-Gals.

A heartwarming story with friendship at its core!
This tells the story of how five different women, each going through their own trials and challenges in life come together and form a firm bond and forever friendship over swimming in the Brighton sea.
It's a sweet and steady story, each of the women is likeable and you can easily relate to each of them in some way, the writing is compelling and descriptive and I really liked how easy it was to read.
The gorgeous setting of Brighton beach is a character of its own, a beautiful setting evocative in description and worthy of a mention of its own.
Overall, a wonderful and inspiring story!

A heartwarming tale that has you invested from the first chapter, likeable characters and a story line that makes you not want to put it down.

A decent summer read, well written and the characters were easy to warm to, even in the chilly waters around Brighton!

Novels like this that were written and set during COVID restrictions have definitely taken a snapshot of time in the most unique way. What an odd thought that is!

Lovely story of a group of women who bond over cold water swimming in Brighton during covid. They all have their issues and histories, but together they help each other find happiness. Full of rich warm characters

As I'm fortunate to live by the sea, I've occasionally considered sea swimming but I'm not a fan of the cold! However, if I could meet the 5 lovely ladies known as the Sea-Gals, I'd be there in a jiffy!

With the ladies being of different ages and coming from differing backgrounds, it enables the author to tackle some of the challenges that women have to deal with throughout their lives, but she does so in a sensitive yet meaningful way. But the book is not just about life's struggles. There's friendship, encouragement, solidarity and fun too.

The book is highly recommended of you enjoy a spot of heartwarming escapism with interesting characters in a lovely setting. I will definitely be reading more from Josie Lloyd. 4.5 *

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

Josie Lloyd does it again! I loved this book!
The lives of the characters become entwined, and they are so heart-felt and poignant. I devoured this and wanted more. You laugh and cry with the ladies and I defy you not to become embroiled.

I've been recommending this book to everyone. It's one of those where you race through and then are bereft when it ends. The women's stories and the strength of their friendship through the twists and turns is heart warming and really gets under your skin. As a swimmer myself I could totally relate to the healing power of being in the water and the perspective it gives you, which was captured perfectly. Highly recommend.

What a fabulous uplifting story! A group of women calling themselves the Sea Gals meet regularly throughout the year to swim in the sea in Brighton. Each of these women have their own challenges and this book tells the story of how they deal with them. Maddy was an influencer and has come to Brighton to look for her son who left home under a cloud after a row with his father. Dominica is recently bereaved and struggling with the aftermath of losing her partner, Chris. Clare, a wife and mother of two boys is feeling invisible as she feels taken for granted by her family. Helga is the oldest swimmer who appears lonely and remembers a love from long ago and Tor, the youngest, who is hiding the fact that she is gay from her family. All these women really have in common on the surface is their love of swimming but they all have similar values and beliefs and form a very strong bond together, helping each other out in any way they can. This is the first book I have read by Josie Lloyd but I am looking forward to reading others by this writer. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of this book.

I read Josie's first book and was very impressed . This is another book about friendship, this time about sea-swimming which brings a diverse group of women together. The book touches on other issues such as homelessness, relationship breakdown and problems in relationships as children start to grow up. Another aspect is the use of social media.
The book is set in the time of COVID in Brighton. The main characters are well portrayed and their friendships feel believable, as do the problems in their lives. A feel good read, may be a little predictable, but none the worse for that
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4898381184

I got into this book straight away. I loved reading about their lives, what they are going through and how the group help them deal with it. They are totally relateable.

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lifesaving for Beginners
by Josie Lloyd

Just 3 women sea swimmers who encourage Claire to join and in turn she invites Maddy and the five women become the ‘ Sea Gals’ swimmers. They all become friends whilst swimming even though they are diversely different. They all communicate through what’s app as to when they meet to swim though they very seldom meet outside of swimming even though they have become such close friends.

A beautifully written book that start with lovely characters.

The way the book is written you follow the five individual stories and only a few interact outside swimming that was the only thing i found odd. It tackled some sensitive issues extremely homeless drug abuse and issues that arise when you get older very well. Thoroughly enjoyable book. 4.5/5

I read this during the 40degree heatwave, and the thought of ice-cold sea-swimming along with the life-affirming testament to the power of honest female friendships saw me through. I've already recommended to friends and family alike!

When I read & reviewed The Cancer Ladies Running Club, also by Josie Lloyd, I said I looked forward to reading the next book by this author, so was pleased to be accepted to read this - another wonderful book about a group of characters who are brought together by swimming in the sea where they live. Once again a lovely heartwarming easy to read book, and once more I look forward to another book by Josie in the near future

I really enjoyed Lifesaving for Beginners which I couldn’t put down.
The story follows a group of women called the Sea-Gals who come together to support one another daily and especially during difficult times.
The individual storylines of each of these women are compelling and relatable – strong female friendships that span different generations and backgrounds.
It is the compassion and care for each other that culminates into one dramatic moment that made the book for me.

Maddie has the perfect Instagrammable life until she suddenly realises it’s all fake. She is the newest addition to the group after finding out on Christmas Day that her husband had been having an affair with one of her friends for the past two years.
On the same day, she received a brief call from her son Jamie who has been missing for several years.
She tracks the call to Brighton and sets off on a one woman mission to find her son.
As she walks along the beach during her hunt, she discovers and is fascinated by the Sea-Gals.

The group is made up of diverse women whose common interest is swimming in the sea.
The physical and therapeutic benefits of swimming year-round in the sea were highlighted and each woman had their reason for participating. The women are at different points in their lives which created a significant bond in the group.

I really enjoyed getting to know each member of the Sea-Gals and their own stories.
The novel highlights those who are unseen by many – the plight of the homeless and the tireless work of the Samaritan volunteers who really do save lives.
The actions really ramps up in the last few chapters and I was on tenterhooks – the Sea-Gals really come together and into their own.
It is a book that celebrates friendships between women and the idea that we are stronger together.
Really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it. Not sure if I am brave enough to take up sea swimming though!

I loved the “The Cancer Ladies Running Club” and I’m not ashamed to say that I cried through most of it. As such, I was thrilled to be able to read this advanced copy.

Well Josie Lloyd did it again! The Salty Sea-Gals reminds us about the importance of female friendships and how important it is that we come together and help support each other.

If like me, you enjoyed The Cancer Ladies Running Club then this is a must read. You might need tissues at times though!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this heartwarming book.