This is a lovely book about a super strong female fire fighter who the reader hopes can find her softer side. To the outside world Cassie is a hero, a tough fire fighter, but her strong exterior is hiding a soft interior full of hurt and sorrow. When her estranged mother calls her from Texas to Massachusetts, she goes somewhat unwillingly. She joins a local fire station where she encounters a fire house full of guys who aren't happy to have her there. The saving grace is the "rookie" who joins the force on the same day. Will Cassie be able to drop her guard to let others in? Cassie's live is full of saving others, but can she save herself? This is a fun read with a group of characters you truly care about. I didn't want it to end. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy of what promises to be the beach read of the summer.

I thought this book was incredibly sweet. I enjoyed the dynamics of all of the characters, but especially the dynamic between Cassie and Owen. There were times when I wished Cassie would stop being so stubborn, but I think those times added to the charm of the book.

Overall, I enjoyed this read! It completely warmed my heart towards the end.

I haven't read the author's first book, How to Walk Away, but it have gotten rave reviews, so I was excited to read Things You Save In A Fire. I watch a lot of tv shows and documentaries about first responders, so the fact that the main character Cassie is a firefighter, also caught my interest. I don't read a lot of contemporary fiction, but I would certainly put this book into the romance category, which I usually enjoy. I liked Cassie from the very beginning of the book and enjoyed watching her character change and grow throughout the story. It is slightly predictable but that didn't bother me and didn't take anything away from this sweet and actually pretty funny book. Overall, it was a interesting story that incorporated a lot of topics that I think a lot of people can relate to such as family, hope and love. If you are a fan of romance, I definitely recommend this book and I look forward to reading what the author publishes in the future.

Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book.

this one is weird - in a good way - in the sense that i don't know how to rate it. it was a solid 4 stars for me for most of the book, i really like katherine center's writing and have enjoyed all of her books that i've read. how to walk away is my favourite (wait, maybe tied with happiness for beginners). anyway, so i was really liking this one but i wasn't *loving* it. i don't know why. it was good and i had a fun time reading it. but the last 25% or so? holy rollercoaster of emotions batman. i very rarely get on the edge of my seat when reading, sometimes i am curious and can't wait to find out, but it is rare that my heart rate actually speeds up and i yell at my husband for daring to ask what's for dinner - but that was this book for me. i had to find out what happened - i skimmed those pages because i was so impatient, and then when i was finished, went back and re-read them when my heart had calmed down. goodness gracious what a rollercoaster. so, while i didn't absolutely love the majority of this book like i have her others - don't get me wrong, i still really really liked it - i think how i felt about the end gets the 5th star. so. there we go. can i have the next Katherine Center book now please?

This book hooked me from the beginning! Cassie, the main character is very likeable and a strong female lead. You can't help but root for her the entire time. I definitely recommend this book!

This book is awesome. I admit the first seven pages or so don’t grab you but hang on because in a few pages it takes off and it’s a roller coaster ride. I truly enjoyed the book. Katherine has done her homework on fires and firefighters. It’s a fun read but has depth. I highly recommend it.

I love "firefighter" stories, especially with females as the lead characters. This title was no exception and it was both thrilling and heartbreaking to see the struggles Cassie faced. I've often quoted someone I've long ago forgotten - "my job enables me to have a life - my job is NOT my life." Cassie clearly blurred the lines between the two and what she learned about herself is a lesson we should all come to know. My Katherine Center readers will be glad to see a new title by her and I look forward to recommending her to others.

Delightful read, reminiscent of Center’s previous book “How to Walk Away.” Loved the main characters and was cheering for their romance for the entire book. Center’s careful research around fire station work dynamics and the training firefighters endure is evident. The dialogue was a little syrupy sweet at times, but otherwise the book was very well done. Perfect beach read!

This is definitely going to be one of my favorite books of the year! I can't stop thinking about this book, and the characters, and the lovely and deep feelings I was left with. I didn't want this story to end, and not because it wasn't fulfilling and complete, but because I loved the characters so much and wanted to spend more time with them.

The first person narrative perfectly conveyed Cassie's character. I loved how bits of her past were slowly revealed and how she became more and more self-aware throughout the book. I also loved the fact that she was a trained paramedic and firefighter, and how fascinating I found her work life. I give the author credit for immersing me in an unfamiliar setting and making it feel both authentic and comfortable. I believe it was Cassie's narration that kept technical details from being overwhelming. This story flowed so well!

There is no way that the book description could have prepared me for how charming and how deeply layered and wonderful this book would be. There were some important topics and emotional storylines, with an overall theme of hope and love. There was, of course, a strong romance element that made this book so great. The book's title could not be more perfect.

I loved the fact that the main character is a female firefighter. While this is a romance, there's a bit more depth to it than in some romance novels I've read in the past. Emotional scenes will have the reader laughing and crying at this heartwarming read. Forgiveness, self-acceptance, healing, and love are key themes, and the determined characters make them easy to root for. It's interesting to see how Cassie handles her career in a male-dominated world (firefighting). One of my best friends is a female firefighter, and that's what piqued my interest in this story. The book may make the reader ponder what they would save in a fire ... perhaps this book :)

This book was nothing like what I expected. I thought it would be, literally, about the things you save in a fire. Because I went through the trauma of losing everything, except my 3 children and my dog, in a house fire 18 years ago, I was intrigued by this book/. I put off reading it because I wasn’t positive I could handle it.

It turns out it was much better than I thought. It is both a. Love story and a story about a woman who has to prove herself. She has to prove herself not only to the men in the fire station the she moves to, but she has to prove herself to herself. Sometimes that it the hardest thing Of all. She also has to learn how to forgive - which is another indomitable task. This book has so many hidden and below the surface meanings that I know I will read it again and again. There are layers in this book that I never expected.

It’s a good, quick read. You can do a surface read, and just read the story and take it as it is. Or you can rad between and below the. Lines and get a much deeper message. Your choice. Either way, it’s a very well-written, beautiful book that. You’ll enjoy.

I loved this! Great story of overcoming your past and embracing the future. Quick read, not too much depth into the past. Would definitely recommend.

I've been trying to get down
To the heart of the matter
But everything changes
And my friends seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore
--The Heart of the Matter, Don Henley, Songwriters: Mike Campbell / Don Henley / John David Souther

Cassie Hanwell is a firefighter for the city of Austin as this story begins. She lives, breathes, imbibes the gospel of firefighting, and all that goes with the territory. She sees herself as strong, independent and accepted by this crew of men and women firefighters. It’s taken her ten years to get to this place, emotionally and physically. She’s nervously anticipating the service award which the mayor is going to present to her, when a last minute change in plans disrupts the event. And her life, as well.

At the point in her life where most girls are on the verge of womanhood, their bodies developed or soon to be so, physical and emotional changes disrupting their social, emotional, familial lives, sixteen is a pivotal year. And on that day, her sixteenth birthday, Cassie’s mother leaves her husband and her daughter Cassie and moves away with another man. Angry and hurt, what she chooses to do that night ends up hurting her even more in the long run. She shuts her mother out of her life, as much as possible.

When her mother calls her soon after the award event, telling her she wants, needs her to come to her home in Massachusetts, she is losing - has lost - sight in one eye, and needs her assistance, Cassie can’t believe she’s even asking. After numerous refusals to even think about it, Cassie acquiesces, and finds herself working for the Lillian Fire Department, a small town near Boston, and near her mother’s home. A fire department that has always been run by men, and only men, and would have remained that way if they hadn’t been desperately looking for two new recruits.

There are many themes in this story, misogyny is unflinchingly front and center, but there are several themes that weave their way through this story, including love. But quietly ever-present in the background is the theme of forgiveness, the power of actually hearing others stories, and the peace that is attained by forgiving others, as well as ourselves.



Pub Date: 13 Aug 2019


Many thanks for the ARC provided by St. Martin’s Press

An Unputdownable, Funny, Fabulous and Sweet novel, that will end up on my Best of List for 2018!
How do I love Thee? Let me tell you the ways! “Things You Save in a Fire” turned me into a complete mush. Yes, it’s true and I admit it. I know, I know, it’s unbelievable right? Roll your eyes at me, go ahead - it seems utterly preposterous given what you all know of me, but it happened. I’ve been transformed into a schmoopy girl for real. And you have Katherine Center to thank.

After How To Walk Away there was zero chance I wasn’t going to do whatever was necessary in order to get my hands on Katherine Center’s next release. Lucky for me the powers that be at St. Martins haven’t figured out I’m awful yet and gave me an early copy.

The story here is of Cassie. Her momma walked out on the family when she was just a kid, but she coped by never letting anyone get too close and becoming a real up-and-comer in the fire department of a town known for keeping it weird. No, the other one. Austin. While receiving an award for being such a kickass kind of gal, an . . . . unfortunate incident occurs leaving Cassie the options of (1) publicly apologize for her behavior or (2) risk termination. Due to reasons (no spoilsies, but the book explains things and you’ll instantly know what’s up even without being told) she chooses the latter. A coinky-dink of long-gone momma coming back into Cassie’s life asking for some temporary help and an available job opportunity in the same neck of the woods has Cassie relocating to Boston to an old-school firehouse with both antiquated equipment as well as mindset. Can Cassie’s ability and work ethic turn things around? Maybe . . . . iffffffffffff she can avoid “the Rookie” . . . .

Okay, so here’s a disclaimer I feel I need to make. I totally gave a book 1 Star like a week ago for having this same subplot and I’m 4 Starring this one. What can I say? I do what I do. I think these quotes in the author’s little bio blurb say it best. Katherine Center writes “bittersweet comic novels” that are “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” She also does good cover with similar art work and bright colors that even my Old Lady Brain can’t help but say: “hey, I know this lady – you like her stuff.” It’s safe to say she’s officially a must read writer for me.

ARC provided by St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks netgally.com for giving me the opportunity to read this arc. Anyways, I’ve read Katherine Last book and I fell in love with her writing. I saw this book here And I decided that it would be amazing to read this book. The plot is very good and I love the character specially the heroine, she was strong and that’s what we as woman want to read nowadays. You should read it for sure!

I can’t tell you how many times I had a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes (joyful and sad), a grin on my face. I was swept away by a tidal wave of emotions reading this beautiful book. So many times I cried and laughed—often on the same page. Cassie Hanwell is truly one of the most complete characters I’ve ever met in a book. Her journey was one of courage, pain, forgiveness, and love; a tough outer shell protecting her from the past, waiting for her heart to break through that barrier. Owen was the perfect foil to Cassie’s resistance; her mother, so persistent and wise; the guys in her firefighting crew were as loyal as they were obnoxious. This book is a tribute to firefighters everywhere, brave men and women who put their lives on the line everyday. Katherine Pannill Center has this wonderful ability to keep readers engaged from beginning to end, filling the pages with heart and humor, connecting readers to her characters and their stories so that we truly feel their pain and celebrate their joys. “Yes the world is full of unspeakable cruelty. But the answer wasn’t to never feel hope, or bliss, or love—but to savor every fleeting, precious second of those feelings when they come. The answer wasn’t to never love anyone. It was to love like crazy whenever you could.”

Not my first Katherine Center read, and certainly not my last. Fast-paced, funny, tender, traumatic...with great, relatable characters. Kept me reading late into the night. Surprising insight into firehouse dynamics - it's always a pleasure to learn something significant in an entertaining read. Four-and-a-half stars.

If you like romance, interpersonal drama, and women running the show in a male dominated field then pick this book up on August 13th!

This story focuses on Cassie, a female firefighter, who moves across the country to take of her estranged mother that is going blind and needs her help. She struggles along the way with work drama, family drama and personal life drama that it definitely kept me engaged. This book focuses on forgiveness and that was definitely a highlight for me! With that said, I did find a lot of it predictable and had a really hard time connecting with the characters. The ending also felt very rushed to me. 3.5 stars but rounded to 4.

I read How To Walk Away last summer and I was really looking forward to reading and reviewing this book. I'm so glad that I was able to have the opportunity to read this book early in order to help promote it! I have to say that this story was even better than How To Walk Away. There was a little tie to How To Walk Away and that was cute to see. The writing style makes it very easy to read even when it gets to tough topics. The ending was very gripping. I did not want to put it down. It was very intense and I just had to find out how it ended. The character development was nice to see. The main character didn't always come across as likable, but by the end I really liked her. The romance was very cute and was done in a careful way that it didn't overtake the whole message of the story. I loved seeing the relationship between the main character and her mother grew through the story. It was done in a very believable way. Overall I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to more books that this author publishes in the future. Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book!