"The Lifeguard" is a heart-wrenching love story that brings together two people from opposite ends of the social spectrum. Sheldon Winters, an affluent and educated man, is a successful cardiothoracic surgeon and a former professional surfer. Melissa, on the other hand, is poor, uneducated, and physically and mentally abused by her uncle Armando Gomez, who has criminal ties to a cartel in Mexico.
Sheldon's best friend, Carl Hamilton, is openly gay and a U.S. Congressman who chairs the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs. Despite Sheldon's heterosexuality, Carl has always been enamored by him and will do anything for him. The ocean plays a powerful role in the novel as both Sheldon and Carl grew up surfing together in Encinitas, California.
As a teenage lifeguard, Sheldon fails to save the life of Rebecca Gomez, Melissa's aunt, from drowning. Later in life, Sheldon saves Melissa's life during an emergency heart surgery, not knowing that she is Rebecca's niece.
As Sheldon and Melissa fall in love, their differences in social status and education become irrelevant. However, Melissa has a serious heart condition, and Sheldon suppresses his emotions for fear of losing her.
Melissa is eventually deported to Mexico due to Armando's criminal acts. Sheldon agrees to pay a coyote to bring Melissa back to the U.S., not knowing that meant crossing the Sonoran desert on foot. A policy called "Prevention through Deterrence," a policy supported and instituted by Carl Hamilton, puts Melissa's life in peril.
"The Lifeguard" is a poignant reminder of the impact of policy decisions on human lives and the power of love to overcome social and cultural barriers.