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 excellent at dealing with other people's tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to uproot her life and move to Boston, it's an emergency of a kind Cassie never anticipated.

The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie's old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren't exactly thrilled to have a "lady" on the crew, even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the handsome rookie, who doesn't seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can't think about that. Because she doesn't fall in love. And because of the advice her old captain gave her: don't date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping...but will she jeopardize her place in a career where she's worked so hard to be taken seriously?

Thoughts:
I really couldn't get into this story. Cassie got on my nerves with how she needed to show off she was so strong then turned into a girly girl in front of Mr. Dreamy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Things You Save in a Fire" was an overall okay story. It's a bit too predictable for me. It's interesting to read a story about a firefighter but it wasn't really enough to keep my interest.

Aren’t you just sick of reading about contemporary female main characters that are podcasters, influencers, writers, and marketing execs? I sure am.

That makes reading Katherine Center’s 2019 novel, Things You Save in a Fire, a truly refreshing change of pace. Here we’re given a heroine that’s a firefighter, and one with gumption at that. Cassie Hanwell leaves Austin to return to her Boston hometown because her estranged mother needs her. Starting over at an all-male firehouse is no easy task though, so she continually has to prove her strength and knowledge.

But gosh darn it, there’s a super cute all-around great guy called “The Rookie” that starts at the firehouse the same time she does. Despite knowing it would be career suicide to cozy up to this dude, her lady bits catch fire at the mere site of him. What’s a girl to do? Good thing there are a lot of hoses nearby. ;)

This is the third Katherine Center book I have read, and I’d classify them all as “enjoyable.” The tone falls somewhere in the middle (or shall I say “center?” sorry, too easy) of literary fiction and chick lit. Insightful, well-written passages about dark themes alternate with fluffy rom-kinda-com vibes. This strikes the just-right tone for many readers, but sometimes I wish she’d just pick a lane and stay in it. Case in point - I chose to read this because I needed something light where a woman isn’t kidnapped/assaulted/raped/murdered, but unfortunately one of those “tropes” is present. Le sigh.

I am sure others love this book but I struggled to get into it. Thanks for the review copy. I appreciate it.

I loved this book! The mother - daughter relationship was tricky but Cassie loved her mother and didn't want to do her wrong. It was an interesting view in to the life of a firefighter and fire house.

loved this book. 😍 strong female lead ✅ super chemistry with cutie ✅ great characters throughout ✅ This was just the right amount of drama, thrill, sadness, happiness, love, flirt, fun. The description of the firehouse and new town were wonderfully done. Highly recommend picking up this one!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

This was my first Katherine Center book and definitely not my last! I received it from Netgalley and was so engrossed in it! Such a magical story also like the humor side mixed with the traumatic parts. I would love to see this book made as a movie. Love the paramedic side of it! In the end I just loved everything about this novel and I will definitely recommend it to everyone!

OMG! What took me so long to read this one! I have had this one on my TBR pile since before it was released (since I received an ARC for review) but time got away from me (2019 was not a good year). Anyway! Cassie is a firefighter in Austin and we start the story at a banquet where she is being given the Angel Award for saving school children from a bus that had gone underwater in a ravine. She doesn't get nervous for fires but getting up in front of 300 of her fellow firefighters...well...add to that they change up the presenter and it is none other than the man who assaulted her as a teenager. Sure, she can just do a quick pass by, grab the award but no, Heath stops her and puts his hands on her and she takes him down in splendid fashion. Good thing her mother has called and needs her to come to Boston to stay with her for a year "at the most" to help her through her health crisis. She and her mother have been estranged since her 16th birthday but this is the perfect time for her to go. Too bad the fire department doesn't want a "lady" firefighter in their midst and she is literally starting out at the bottom along with the rookie who starts on the same day. When she meets the rookie, BAM, who would have ever thought she would suddenly develop feelings for anyone. She slams that door shut but fate has a way of opening all the doors and windows whenever possible. This story has all the feels and everything in between. I binged this one over a busy weekend when I really didn't have time to read but once I started it I could not put it down. I highly recommend this one!

This was my first book by Katherine Center and instead of leaving a review, I went to buy her entire catalog and read them all within two weeks. Her writing is superb, and her stories captivating. This book is beautifully written and I would recommend it.

*Minor Spoilers*
This is the second book by Katherine Center I have read and I volleyed between really liking it and taking issue with how one of the characters was handled. I really enjoyed Cassie's relationships with her fellow firefighters and how she used her childhood trauma to propel her to do good in the world. My issue was with Diana. I just couldn't wrap my head around her leaving her 16 year old daughter on her birthday to be with another man across the country whether he was dying or not. It's not a reason and it's not an excuse and I can't imagine how any good mother, and make no mistake Diana was portrayed as a good mother, flawed or not could do that. My second issue was that Diana kept proclaiming that she never cheated on Cassie's father. Having sex with another person is not the only way to cheat on a spouse. Emotional affairs, which is what Diana had, are most definitely cheating and are often even more damaging than physical affairs. As such this was a three and a half star read for me.

Another great book by Katherine Center. I read How to Walk Away and loved it so was excited to read Things You Save in A Fire. First - what a great title for a book about a badass female firefighter who is trying to prioritize what’s most important in life.

Cassie is a strong female protagonist and it was so nice to read about a female doing her thing in a male dominated profession. This was a great story of love and family.

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin’s Press for giving me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent drama with a little bit of mystery mixed in. Cassie, traumatized as a teenage, is now a successful firefighter. Life events trigger a move across country to move in with her mother and a new start at a firehouse not very open to having a female firefighter. Though there are some heavy topics here (forgiveness, healing from trauma, sexual abuse, abandonment, death), the book overall feels more lighthearted. While I don't usually go for romances, this one has enough non-romance in the story to make for a well-rounded book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

LOVE Katherine Center. Love her relatable characters. A great sequel to her last book. This author is a must read and I always pick up her titles no matter what.

Katherine Center's books hit a little harder than your average book. The story here is thoughtful, as it shows the heroine working her way through trauma.

I was instantly hooked- & the first scene GOT ME AMPED UP! I can’t say I ‘condone’ violence, but if someone has it coming to them, who am I to judge?



Cassie is a BOSS BABE: a no nonsense paramedic and fire-fighter. I love to see women in professions that society has deemed masculine/male-driven. She finds herself needing a transfer after a public altercation. (I say NEEDS because she refuses to do the one thing that would absolve her- apologize). Honestly, I don’t blame her- women should not have to apologize for how they react to being assaulted, no matter WHO that person is. Cassie’s estranged mother contacts her to come live with her due to health issues= the perfect time. A new position secured at a fire-station run by a misogynist Chief, and lots of doubt- Cassie heads off to MA.



This move brings some quirky characters! Obv some backlash from the men when a woman is thrust in their midst but Cassie continually proved herself. She was a bit showy but it felt good to see her confidence shine. She was stubborn and determined to show that she was one of them and could do as much (or more) & was fiercely independent.



Cassie struggled with self-worth due to trauma (TW: abandonment & sexual abuse), so she protected herself the only way she knew- keeping her guard up and not letting herself form emotional connections. She fought that tooth and nail, but eventually her heart won out. The transformation was predictable, but had all the right elements to have you rooting for her. I found the ending to be unrealistic..but didn’t change my rating.



Cassie’s journey to love, forgiveness and self-discovery will make you laugh, cry, infuriate and smile until you turn the last page.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review 🖤

A sweet and wonderfully heartwarming book. I love how the characters are all fighting their own battles but they work together to overcome them.

I just loved reading Cassie's story. Being a firefighter is a tough job. Being a female firefighter is even tougher. Cassie has grown up with her dad since her sixteenth birthday; the day her mom left. When mom calls needing her help, circumstances allow for Cassie to respond to the call. As Cassie tries to prove herself in an all-male fire squad, another rookie and a veteran cause turmoil in her life. With her mom's help, along with mom's friend, Cassie resolve to not be "a girl" begins to crumble and she learns that life is lived better with love. Another great book by Katherine Center! Thank you to Ms. Center, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I unfortunately was unable to get very far in this book. Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center puts its readers in the shoes of a firefighter where they to get experience the political and emotional drama that comes with fighting fires. Honestly the book just had too many overused tropes.

Always an amazing story. Katherine Center’s “Things You Save in a Fire” is such a super read! Katherines stories are always so full of life and vibrant. I love that: I can’t wait fir the next, I also love her cover!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

An amazing book! I loved everything about it! This author knows how to write books that capture the heart strings of ppl that keeps us coming back to read more of her books.