Cassie is one of the best firefighters in her firehouse in Texas and she loves her job. But one day her estranged mother calls her and asks her to leave her blossoming career behind to come care for her in Boston. It takes everything in her but she makes the move and starts all over at a new firehouse. And things are nowhere near as good as she had it in Texas. Except for the handsome rookie. But that could get very complicated and her life is already pretty complicated.
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My goodness, this story is just the sweetest. I just loved it. So much that I finished it in a little over 24 hours.
Cassie is a relatable character who struggles with the hard things we all do at some point in life. She’s also an overcomer and that made this such an inspiring read. Forgiveness is the theme of this book. What it really looks like, what it does for the forgiver and the forgiven, and why we should forgive. There’s so much I could say on just that part of the book alone.
There’s a reason you’re hearing so much about this book. It’s a beautiful, thought-provoking story and you won’t want to put it down.

Another wonderful read from Katherine Center. A strong protagonist with just enough vulnerability to be likable, a mother trying to make amends, a long-buried secret that comes to light and a firehouse romance that will warm your heart. Definitely a five-star read for me.

I found it very hard to like or connect with main character and professional firefighting protagonist Cassie Hanwell in this book; she internalizes all of her emotions, especially her anger, and that leads to her making horrible decisions that affect her career and personal life in a desultory way.
Cassie has issues with men touching her, clearly from a past trauma that affected her in her formative years, mommy issues stemming from her mother ‘abandoning’ her when she was a hormonal teenager for another man, daddy issues caused by a mute father who fed her more mommy issues by bashing all of womankind, and a huge passive-aggressive complex which she uses in every aspect in her life.
Cassie does not talk out her issues with anyone! Her whole life is dictated by her inability to let go of her anger and we as the readers suffer for it alongside her.
I did not like this book. There was not enough dialogue between the characters, especially the supposed love interest, also known as The Rookie. Because of this lack of dialogue, we spend an inordinate amount of time in Cassie’s head, and her thought process is not a fun time had by all. Most of her solutions to get along with all of her new male firefighting colleagues is to challenge them to feats of a physical nature and best them into stunned silences. After this happens more than once, I was cringe-rolling-my-eyes in disturbed disbelief. It felt incredibly middle schoolish and over-the-top, and only added to everything I did not like about Cassie Hanwell.
I’m disappointed, because I’m always looking for a kickass female protagonist to stand behind and read about, especially since I read the synopsis of Things You Save in a Fire being about a female firefighter in a career almost 95% overtaken by males. I was so ready to rally behind a minority character saving the day with gusto and passion! Unfortunately, in this tale of forgiveness, I don’t know if I can forgive the selfish, whiny overtones that pervaded the pages.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved How to Walk Away, so when this book became available I was ecstatic. Katherine Center does a great job of folding in multiple characters and storylines. This wasn’t just a romance; it was also about forgiveness - of yourself, your coworkers, your friends and your family. We all need a little more of that in life.

Cassie Hanwell loves being a firefighter and she’s great at it. When she’s forced out of her fire station in Austin because of a confrontation with a councilman, she moves to Massachusetts to help her mom, who is having vision problems. While there, she faces a hostile work environment and a rocky relationship with her mother. Cassie has a lot to learn about forgiveness...and learning to love.

I loved this book. I think the main character had good depth to her. She wasn’t stereotypical in any way. She is admirable but flawed. The men in her firehouse came off pretty realistically as well.

The plot had some good, though a little predictable, complications. The ending was satisfying, if a little beat. The characters kept you engrossed and the plot was always interesting. I rarely reread, but I would reread this.

If you liked this book, and haven’t already read it, try How to Walk Away by the same author.

Thanks to Macmillan Publishing and netgally for each gifting me with a copy for review.

4.5 stars! Things You Save in a Fire is a terrific summer read that combines serious issues with a fun romance. Cassie is an all star firefighter in Texas who gets an unexpected request from her estranged mother. Her mother, who left the family on Cassie's 16th birthday, is now asking her to live with her in the Northeast for a year. Cassie agrees, but now has to deal with avoiding her mother's attempts at reconciliation, overcoming the boys club in the firehouse, and trying not to fall for the rookie.

I gobbled up this story in just a few days!! It hooked me right from the beginning and kept me enthralled the entire time as I got to know Cassie and the inner workings of a firehouse. The last third of the story was so intense I stayed up reading in the middle of the night to find out what happened.

Cassie is a flawed and relatable character who struggles to deal with her family and her past. I could easily see how she became the woman she is and the choices she makes. The rookie is a somewhat unbelievably perfect man, but who doesn't mind reading that :)

The descriptions of the firehouse routine are vivid and fascinating. I saw that Center's husband, who is a volunteer firefighter, helped with this part, so it's no surprise that everything feels very genuine.

A wonderful summer read with plenty of depth. This is a great book for anyone interested in women's fiction, chick lit, or simply a great story.

I enjoyed this fun read by Katherine Center about a firefighter that moves to a new town to help her estranged mother after an incident at her home fire station. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read it early in return for my honest review!

I am an absolute SUCKER for a good romance novel. @nicholassparks Sparks has always been my go to for this fix, however as of lately Katherine Center has quickly taken the lead and given me just what I need!! Things you Save in A Fire is undoubtedly a beautiful story about a female firefighter, who must not only face much adversity, but she also must learn forgiveness in more areas of life than just one. This masterfully written novel gives the reader all the feels as you are side by side with Cassie, the main character as she endures hilariously awkward situations, tough conversations, firsts, lasts, and self realization. This story also spoke to me because it has an undertone of equality and women’s rights. It is a progressive storyline that incorporates strong, multicultural, women in positions of power. Bravo to @katherinecenter for gifting us another masterpiece!
Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for my #ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! This book had me feeling a range of emotions. There were some funny moments, sad moments, angry moments and feel good moments. I enjoyed this story so much and what a great reminder of how forgiveness plays an important role in our lives. This was the first book I have read by this author and certainly not the last!

This was a very good read. Cassie is a firefighter and excels at her vocation. She has walled off her emotions, but is a comrade with all of her squad. Until a phone call and her past comes calling. She moves to New England to care for her estranged ailing mother and take a new position at a smaller firehouse. She has to prove herself, which she does, but someone doesn't want her on the team. After one fire her whole changes. The ending was good and the story development was great.

Forgiveness is the theme of this novel. Cassie Hanwell was abandoned by her mother and brutally assaulted on her 16th birthday. Channeling her grief and anger, she becomes a firefighter and proves her worth to herself and co-workers. Forced to relocate to Massachusetts, she has to begin again in a firehouse where she is hazed daily alongside a rookie. Her acceptance is an uphill battle. Cassie learns, despite her reluctance and resistance, how to forgive and what this entails, Katherine Center has given readers a love story in a unique setting.

I couldn’t wait to read the latest novel by @katherinecenter and it did not disappoint. This book brought 🔥 to all the emotions and reminded you that life isn’t about “things.” Life is about the relationships and how you handle them. Do you forgive, love, trust and laugh when life brings the heat? You can have all the physical strength but it is the mental game that will ultimately save you and being along with Cassie as she learns this was a fast passed touching read. Read this book when it releases 8/13. #thingsyousaveinafire #katherinecenter #julesbookshelf 📚#30 🔥

What a great book, the author is such a talented writer. This is a beautiful story about a strong brave woman. She is the only girl in the group of firefighters. It reads very easy, flows nicely. Will give another one of her books a chance.

Things You Save in a Fire was a 4-star read for me!

I started & finished this book in the same day. I didn't know much about it ahead of time, but the story pulled me in. It's a story about forgiveness. It's a story of a woman coming to terms with her past, letting down her walls and allowing herself to love and be loved. This story is a sweet, romantic love story set against the backdrop of the main character working for the fire department and working through the challenges that women face in our society related to trauma, gender roles and how they're perceived.

I really enjoyed this one - despite having some heavy topics in it like loss, sexual assault and cancer - it was overall, a hopeful love story. And not just a romantic love story - it is about learning to love yourself enough to risk loving others. It was both romantic and emotional.

The story pulled you in quickly and kept you wanting to read more as you needed to know how it would end. There was enough of a mystery, conflict and lack of resolution to provide urgency. The perfect beach or poolside read for this summer!

‘It’s not the easy moments that define who we are. It’s the hard ones.’
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Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she's seen her fair share of them, and she's a total pro at other people's tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to give up her whole life and move to Boston, Cassie suddenly has an emergency of her own.
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Things You Save in a Fire is a story of love, relationships, the power of forgiveness, and how to be brave against all odds. I loved Cassie’s character and how she evolved through the book. She started out estranged from her mother and immune to romantic love. And as her circumstances changed, she allowed herself to change and become so much more than just a hardcore firefighter. She was beautifully written and her story was touching.
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Full disclosure: I cried through the last thirty pages of this book. I laughed a little bit in there as well, but I ugly cried. It may be because I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it, but mostly, it was just that good.

I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway before being selected to read it on NetGalley, so I'm doubly thankful to St. Martin's Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is my third Katherine Center book so I was beyond excited to read it! I was not disappointed, in my opinion this is a 5 star read.
Cassie is a star firefighter. She is the youngest (and only woman) to be given the Austin Fire Department's Valor Award but the ceremony doesn't go off as expected. Shortly after, she receives a phone call from her Mom in Massachusetts. Will she move to help her adapt to her changing vision for no longer than six months? She hasn't seen her mother since she left the family on Cassie's 16th birthday.
This is a wonderful story of forgiveness, family, romance and the challenge of being the only female in a firehouse of men not wanting to change.
This book goes on sale August 13, 2019.

This book starts out ON FIRE! I read the first sentence and I knew I was going on a flaming read with the character of Cassie Hanwell! Of course, knowing it was written by Katherine Center, I was certain this book would be excellent. I was not disappointed one bit!
Cassie is a tough and hard core firefighter and she knows her business. "She was about as close as a regular human could get to a superhero. And guess what? She really didn't put up with nonsense." The thing is, she's also vulnerable from events that happened when she was younger. There is hurt, bitterness, rage, and unforgiveness in her that she puts up a wall in front of. Her whole focus and meaning in life is her career as a firefighter. It defines her. Or so she wants to portray.
Then things in her personal life happen and change her path. Things she never wanted to have to face or deal with. But the vulnerability and compassionate consciousness in her can't leave her alone. This is where my heart was pulled into the pain and anguish of what Cassie is going to be challenged by. I felt her emotions because of the way Ms. Center portrays her characters. With heartfelt feelings....good or bad.
The characters in this book are realistic. There are wonderful characters that I cheered for and connected with. I love the "Rookie". He plays such a crucial role in Cassie's life and how things settle out. I loved how Ms. Center wove the mystery of his name in this story. (What exactly is his name?) The characters weave through this story so well and bring it together piece by piece. The events of the past intertwine with the events of the present. This is a story with forgiveness as a very relevant subject. How can we forgive when we've been hurt so badly? How was Cassie going to find that ability? "Choosing to love-despite all the ways that people let you down, and disappear, and break your heart. Knowing everything we know about how hard life is and choosing to love anyway....That's not weakness. That's courage."
As I was reading this book, I found myself considering many of the same things Cassie was. What is the price we are willing to pay for happiness and looking to be released from the past? What does it take? This book is amazing in how Ms. Center takes the reader on that journey.
I also appreciate the details in the descriptive passages about fires and firefighting. I have gained a whole new admiration for what firefighters endure and experience in their profession. This book is written extremely well and I was turning the pages because I was so engrossed in the story. I love the dialogue between the characters. It was like I was right there in the pages, being a part of the conversations.
I am so grateful for the opportunity of reading this book. I thank Ms. Center, MacMilllan Publishing for the ARC copy, and Netgalley for the kindle copy of this book. I know that when I pick up a Katherine Center book, I am going to read a fantastic story. After reading How To Walk Away I was certain! I freely give my HUGE five star review of this book.

Cassie is brave, intelligent, and more than capable of surmounting the toughest odds. She is a talented firefighter and paramedic after all living and working in a world dominated by men. She thrives and excels. Yet, she can't seem to overcome her stubbornness to let people into her life and heart. Until she meets the "Rookie." It's a slow burn between these two as Cassie cautiously examines her past and masters the life giving art of forgiveness.

I'm am a self proclaimed non-romantic comedy book lover. I may read one once, maybe twice a year. This book hit all the marks for me. It had a great storyline and interesting characters. You know you've stumbled upon a great book when you put it down and you keep thinking about what will happen next. Five stars for Katherine Center and her novel, "Things You Save in a Fire." A great read from start to finish!

Cassie Hanwell had accomplished what few women have - to be a respected and accomplished firefighter in Texas. But when her past catches up with her as she receives an award for heroism, all that she has worked towards comes crashing down. Simultaneously, her ailing mother, with whom she has a strained relationship, calls and informs her that she needs Cassie to help her for the next year. Cassie reluctantly moves to the her Mom's Boston area neighbourhood and accepts a position at a local firehouse with all it's old=fashioned values and traditions. This department had never hired a female firefighter before Cassie and she would have to prove that she could fit it. She would soon learn that even being a highly skilled firefighter wouldn't always earn the respect of all of her peers. Just one of her challenges she'd have to overcome.

Cassie's history as a teenage had made it easy not to be attracted to men. She also knew that dating a co-worker was simply out of the question and was grounds for dismissal. But there was something very appealing about the rookie Owen who starts at the firehall the same day as Cassie. She had to stop her feelings of attraction towards Owen, despite the fact that the two of them were constantly working together.

I enjoyed this book and it's strong heroine. Although the book was a bit too dramatic for me in places, I felt connected to the book and had to finish the last third in one sitting - always a good sign of a captivating book. I truly appreciated the message of forgiveness and listening to the story behind a person that permeates the book. I give this book 4/5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's press for this ARC in return for an honest review which I have provided here.

I enjoyed reading this book by Katherine Center. I had not expected the turn of events that happened as the plot continued on. It held my attention well and was a relatively quick read. I liked that the author included an epilogue in her writing. I most definitely would recommend this book to a fellow reader.

*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.