Things You Save in a Fire tells the story of Cassie, who starts the book as a firefighter in Texas. She gets a call from her mother in Massachusetts, who asks her to come help take care of her as she lost sight in one eye. Cassie transfers to a fire station near her mom and the story really begins. She has to adapt to a new place with different rules and people than her old station. She's already decided because of past events that she is not interested in love, yet as soon as she walks into the firehouse, she starts falling for the other guy that is starting when she's starting (the rookie).
The story follows a predictable pattern (she likes the rookie, she knows she shouldn't like the rookie, she tries to be closed-off, etc.) and readers of Katherine Center can figure out how this ends.
The book touches on the concept of forgiveness multiple times, and I wish this had been a bigger theme throughout rather than shoved in your face in a few situations. The character development of Cassie seemed slow, rather than an arc, she was stagnant and then somehow became a different person. I'd like to see more of the relationship between Cassie and the rookie develop. The relationship between Cassie and her mom was good, but I was left wanting more.
This probably is classified as a romance book, although the romance is kind of slow to develop. Everything wrapped up a little too perfectly for me (there should be some dissent or conflict remaining, no?). The story was nice and sweet and a quick read, but I couldn't really relate or like Cassie. She seemed too perfect at her job and too flawed without any real development (all of her past is fixed by falling in love?).
I also struggled with the first-person narrator that is talking to the reader. I'm fine with a first person narrative but lines like "you probably want to know what happened..." bother me. I'm reading a book, not having a conversation!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Katherine Center for the opportunity to read and review her latest novel - another 5 star read! I loved her last book, How to Walk Away, and this one didn't disappoint.

Cassie is a female firefighter in Austin TX - one of the bright stars in the department. Until the night she is getting an award and punches the presenter on stage. All of a sudden, Cassie's carefully controlled life is spinning out of her control. Her long-estranged mother calls from Massachusetts where she has lived since walking away from Cassie and her dad on Cassie's 16th birthday. Her mom is having vision issues and needs Cassie's help. Her new job in a fire department near her mom is anything but what she is used to. As the only female firefighter, she has to try and prove herself at every turn. The only bright spot is the rookie who started the same day as Cassie. But Cassie doesn't do love.

This is just a heartwarming story about forgiveness, family, and being true to one's self. Plus, I loved all the firefighting action in this book. For the last 25 years, I have worked for a chief firefighter who operates a school teaching applicants how to become firefighters. It's good for all of us to learn a bit more about their lives because someday our lives might depend on them.

Highly recommended!

I want to thank St. Martin Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Things You Save In a Fire for my honest review.
I have never read anything by Katherine Center before, but was curious after hearing so much rave over her last book, How to Walk Away..that I wanted to give her a try. I'm so glad I did.
I honestly did not know what to expect going into this book, I didn't even know the genre so I was completely surprised and while I'm not a romance fan, this was so well written and the characters were so well developed I felt I knew them intimately . The story isn't just about romance however its about life's struggles and tragedies, how we respond to them, how it shapes us.
I loved this book..I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

4.5 Stars / 2 Steam Fans

Oh did this story catch me off guard! I entered the book not really knowing what I was getting into so I was pleasantly surprised that this story revolves around a female fire fighter and the difficulties that go alone with being in a male dominant career. Katherine Center provided such a relatable character in Cassie especially for any female that has worked in the male dominated world of first responding. There is a bit of mystery surrounding Cassie and her emotions, why she deals with her mother the way she does, and the push down of feelings about Owen. This was an emotional ride that showed you don't have to hide your feelings, life is a beautiful thing that if you don't live in it you will let it pass you by, and that forgiveness can change painful moments from the past.

This video review will be included in the August 2019 wrap-up.

For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

All the stars!!! A fun, beautiful gem! This is not a sappy love story. Just the opposite. There’s a wonderful story of love there, yes, love is the center piece that grounds the whole story. Other key element’s found are loneliness, family, the power of forgiveness, integrity and selflessness. Written with depth and strong relatable characters, this is a very engaging, believable story that had me feeling many different emotions. I love when a writer is able to do that. I was quickly drawn in at the start and highly recommend to all readers that enjoy women’s fiction. A 2019 favorite for me!

Sending a special thank you to St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for sharing a copy of this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

Another very good book from Katherine Center. I have never read a novel about a firefighter and especially a female one, so it was very interesting and kept me moving along through the book. The author does a good job of engaging the reader and getting them interested in the characters and their lives. The mystery was an added touch I always enjoy. I would recommend this one to friends.

Things You Save in a Fire is one of those rare books that you can't put down because it is just so readable. There aren't cliffhangers, overly thought-provoking or gorgeously written words, or a tense plot. But there is something about it that makes it a joy to read. While predictable, its charm won me over and it is often quite funny. The author's apparent knowledge of what it's like to be not just a firefighter, but a female firefighter, drew me right in to the setting and character. Cassie is quietly struggling, but not desperately so, in a way that makes it easy to relate to and root for her. I would never call it an earth shattering book, but it is a great escape read.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin's Press. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. This review reflects my honest opinion of this work.

Cassie is a workaholic Austin, Texas firefighter/EMT with an excellent record at the job, a woman able to focus all of her energy to the job, to advancing through schooling into the next step at the job. Life is all job. No personal life at all. She lives alone, visits occasionally with her school teacher father, and feels that all of her isolationism dates back to her 16th birthday when her mother abandoned her and she was molested on her first - her only - date. No hugs for her, no romance. Just work. And the guys at the station treat her just like she wants - like one of the guys. Now 26, she feels finally settled into a life she can enjoy, without all the angst of her younger years. But for a week she has been dodging calls from her estranged mother. And the date raper is introduced at the awards ceremony to present her with the medal of valor, the highest award in the fire hierarchy. As he does so, he cups her butt. She just can't take it. She has to flatten him. And Cassie always gives her best effort. He is in the hospital, and she is looking for another job instead of receiving that raise and the accompanying advancement to Lieutenant that her captain had planned for her.

Things can only get more complicated. Her mother Diane needs Cassie to move to Rockport, Massachusetts to help her as she recovers from eye surgery - only a year or less. Her Austin Captain is able to assure her a job as the first female fireman/EMT in the firehouse of the nearby small town of Lillian. Breaking the glass ceiling is never easy, but it looks like a move to the Atlantic coastline is in her cards... And Cassie always gives her best effort.

This was an excellent novel - holding your interest and finding surprises all the way through. I am pleased to recommend it to friends and family.

Cassie Hanwell knows that she was born for emergencies. She keeps cool and calm in the most dangerous situations, and being a fire fighter, handling dangerous situations is kind of her day-to-day. She loves what she does and she wouldn't want to change that. Even being one of the few women in the profession. But on the night when Cassie is to accept a valor award her worst fears are realized when she comes face to face with a person from her past. A very bad person. A person that causes an undeniable reaction out of Cassie, but one she won't apologize for.

Because of what happens that fateful night, Cassie is faced with the possibility of losing her job. When the option of moving to another station presents itself, Cassie jumps at the opportunity. It doesn't matter that the old-school Boston firehouse she goes to is miles different from her firehouse in Austin. Moving to the Boston-area will give her the chance to start over, as well as a chance to reconnect with her mother who left the family when Cassie was sixteen. It doesn't matter that Cassie still holds a grudge against her mother from those actions a decade prior. Cassie is just there to start a new job, keep her head down, follow orders, and try not to make too big of a deal of the fact that she's a woman. But when the rookie in the firehouse catches Cassie's eye, she tries everything in her power to resist because love has never done anything for Cassie. Love makes you weak. So why, when she's around the Rookie does everything feel so right for the first time in so long?

I was introduced to Katherine Center with her book How to Walk Away, and I was really surprised reading that one, going into it not familiar with the author. It was one of those happy surprise reads.

Well, I have to say that I think Things You Save In A Fire edges out How to Walk Away by just a smidgen. I felt Cassie's struggles and I equally felt her strength.

I loved the way that Katherine Center handles Cassie's past. Readers aren't inherently privy to what, exactly, happened ten years ago, but believe me when I tell you that the conclusion is easy to spot. It's something you wish and hope with all your heart isn't, but as the story continues and as we understand how much Cassie is still impacted there is no mistaking it.

But I liked that Katherine Center didn't just lay everything out for readers from the beginning. Instead I felt like we were along for Cassie's journey of healing and forgiveness.

The idea of forgiveness is rampant throughout Things You Save. It's not always forgiveness for those who have done you wrong either, but moreso forgiveness for yourself too. Cassie has, maybe unintentionally, shouldered a lot of blame for ten years ago when she shouldn't feel any blame at all. She feels guilt about the way she's lived, or hasn't, in the intervening years when she shouldn't feel it at all. But readers get to be along on her journey as she comes to terms with these ideas. My favorite moments are when Cassie is falling for the Rookie. How she shut herself off for so long and now, suddenly, with the right person, things just click into place and the whole world looks shiny and new. This could have easily fallen into an overly sappy moment, but Katherine Center handles everything with genuine care and love. It's beautiful.

There's so much I enjoyed about this book. Cassie situating herself within the echelons of a male-dominated field of work and thriving. The idea that in order to fit in, she needed to downplay things that make her, her thinking that females are inherently weaker than males so all forms of emotions or love would be considered a weakness. While Cassie was suppressing her belief in love this wasn't an issue, but once she opens herself up to it, she begins to understand that loving something - or someone - only makes you stronger. Makes you fight harder to keep it.

Cassie isn't the only person who struggles with the past or forgiveness. Katherine Center goes a long way to give a well-rounded exploration of the myriad of ways in which forgiveness is a thing in which we all struggle, but the focus is placed on Cassie and her journey.

I really enjoyed this book and couldn't recommend it enough. Cassie does have ties to How to Walk Away but it would in no way prevent you from picking up this book without having read the previous one (although you honestly should it's wonderful).

What a book! I really don't want to even hint about the plot and let other readers enjoy it as I have. While reading this book I cried - yes, literally! And I laughed! Katherine Center has become one of my favorite authors.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. I won't soon forget it!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, I've never read Katherine Center before and I was afraid it would be a bit of a tear jerker. I was right. Bittersweet, is the best way to describe this romance. Love happens at the best and worst times in your life.

Cassie is a tough and smart young firefighter who needs a change of scene when an awards ceremony goes awry. Owen is a rookie firefighter at her new station. I really liked Cassie's ingenuity and strength and Owen's ability to show his vulnerability. At first glance they would seem like opposites, but they really complemented each other perfectly.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.

I received an ARC in exchange of my honest review.

When Cassie slugs the City Councilman giving her an award for bravery, the Captain of the Fire Department gives her two options: apologize or lose her job. She counters with a third option....transfer her to a station near where her mom lives. Her mom has just contacted her and said she is having health issues and needs her to come stay with her. Cassie takes door number three, packs up her life and moves to Boston. What she doesn't bargain for is a Fire Captain that thinks women don't belong in the Fire House, a secret saboteur who is determined to make sure she fails, and falling in love with her fellow rookie.
I loved this book. This book made me laugh and cry, get mad at the jerk who was trying to bring her down, and kept my fingers crossed for her and 'the rookie". I loved this book and you will too.

Oh my goodness. That book was something else. You know how every so often you come across a book that grips your heart and creates a slightly new shape? That sticks with you in your whole being? That book that compels you to think, “One of the my new all time favorites that I won’t soon forget”? That was this book for me.

I’ll admit that for the first bit, I was having a hard time connecting with Cassie, the main character, a rare female firefighter from Austin, Texas. As she made her move to Massachusetts to save her career and help out her ailing, estranged mother, I struggled to hold interest in all the firefighter talk. I wasn’t making an immediate emotional connection and wasn’t relating to the topic, therefore it felt stilted and a touch dull. A friend urged me to continue and I am so immensely glad I did.

Somewhere along the way, I got used to Cassie’s slightly awkward ways, came to truly care for her Lillian fire crew and was changed for the better because of their story. Cassie’s simple, but pure-hearted, honest ways, touched me deeply. Her mother inspired me with her humble perseverance and positive outlook. The Rookie was an ideal example of goodness personified. I have a new profound respect for the profession and the people who dedicate their lives to it.

The people were the message. Their lives were the lessons. The theme of forgiveness, and consequently love, was profound and the author offered a unique take on this always important topic. There were also so many noteworthy lines, my journal will be full.

Things You Save in a Fire was everything I never knew I wanted. Fiction can change lives and affect hearts. Too big of fanfare and praise for a book? I don’t think so. Not for me.

I loved this and couldn’t put it down! I don’t know much about how a firehouse is ran but I imagine they would be similar to what Center has written about here. I loved the love story and how it didn’t completely take over. I will be looking for more by this author.

Thank you Netgalley, St Martin’s Press and Katherine Center.
I loved everything about this book especially how Cassie learns the art of forgiveness.
This book makes you smile, brought tears and frustration at the forefront.
Katherine Center stories are well written and keep you reading well into the night. I did not want the story to end.
Highly recommend. 5 🌟

This is my first book by Katherine Center and whoa, it was fantastic! Cassie Hanwell is a bad a**, and the epitome of a strong female lead. She is a female firefighter who knows she is doing exactly what she was born to do. She heads into fires when others run away. She is the darling of the Austin Tx firehouse and is a shoe-in for a promotion to lieutenant. This all sounds great, you say, but what is her flaw? We know she has one, you say. Oh that. Well, she doesn’t speak to her mom, and doesn’t date anyone ever, and pretty much hasn’t been kissed, and she HATES hugs. BUT, it helps make for a darn good firefighter, amiright? Of course, all of this gets confronted in literally the best way possible.

Cassie is forced to leave her nice life in Austin and go to Boston to join a small firehouse, and live with her mom (yes, that one), for a year. She is told that it will not be easy at the new firehouse, they will not like her, they will not accept her, and oh, btw, she also has to deal with her mom. And on top of all that, a rookie at is about to walk into her life and have an impact on her that she isn’t used to. Cassie learns about forgiveness, in literally the most profound way possible. So much so that I found myself taking notes and want to apply this to some parts of my life as well (thank you Katherine). Finally, she learns what it feels like to not be alone all the time, the impact of a hug, and how much things can change in a year.

This was a solid 5 star read for me, and will definitely be a top read of 2019. This is out on 8/13/19, and I strongly advise you to preorder this one and get to it immediately!

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy to review. All opinions above are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. Strong main character and supporting characters with a sweet story line.

Cassie Hanwell is tough as nails. She's a firefighter; she risks her life to save others and does it in field that's dominated by men. She's found her place in a firehouse in Texas, where she's respected and often thought of as "one of the guys." This all changes when Cassie's estranged mom, Diana, asks her to leave this all behind and move to her home in a beach town in Massachusetts. The firehouse in MA couldn't be any more different than what Cassie was used to in TX. Where the firehouse in TX had the latest and greatest equipment, the firehouse in MA has radios that barely work and nonexistent supplies that are essential for emergencies. Of course, the firefighters in MA aren't too keen on having a female in their house. Can Cassie prove to them that she belongs? And then there's the extremely good-looking rookie who started on the same day as Cassie. Can she stick to the rule to never date a firefighter?

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. This was such a great read and I really enjoyed it. Somewhat of a predictable ending, but that's OK with me because it was pretty much the ending I was hoping for. The theme of forgiveness really stuck with me. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Cassie Hanwell has always been calm during emergences. Thats probably why she decided to become a Firefighter. As the only female firefighter in her Texas firehouse, she has become a pro and a highly valued team member. But when her estranged mother is begging her to come live with her for a year, she has to give up everything to move. Her fire captain gives her some guidelines. Don't be girly, be the best at the job, and do not sleep with any of her coworkers. Moving to the new firehouse in Boston, her new coworkers are not too fond of the idea of having a female on the team. Which means she has to work that much harder to prove herself. But on the first day Cassie has an emergency of her own: The Rookie. Cassie tries her hardest to ignore him but the captain has pared Cassie with him to help him learn the ropes of being a Firefighter. The rookie seems like he is the only one who doesn't mind having her around. Through all the hazing, lack of funding, and almost a dangerous lack of equipment, Cassie has yet to show emotion or feelings like her old Captain said. But Cassie feels her self slipping, and possibly risking it all. The only job she has every loved, and her hero image might be at stake.

I have been seeing this book everywhere and the hype did not disappoint! I loved Cassie and her strong character, though at times I wanted to yell at her for being so stubborn. I started to get invested when she starts loosening up. I love love loved the rookie and how sweet he was. Don't let this fool you though, this book has some heavier subjects that I was not expecting! I'm all about forbidden love stories and this one did not disappoint! The ending though..... OMG. Just read it so you can find out!

Cassie is a female firefighter who has properly carved out a place for herself at her station and with her crew. On the night she’s meant to receive a commendation, everything changes when she has an aggressive encounter with a horrible ex. The only solution to the unexpected turn her life has taken? To accept the opportunity to relocate to another firehouse… that also happens to be closer to her estranged mother, who has requested that she come and stay for a year to help her out. Overall, Things You Save in a Fire was a decent read. Center did a commendable job depicting the life of a firefighter (and particularly a female firefighter) in a fascinating way. The themes explored – especially love and forgiveness – were equally interesting and inspired some food for thought. But I did struggle with getting into the narration style, which goes hand in hand with my difficulty in clicking with Cassie’s personality. The pacing was also uneven; the first 70% feels even-keeled only to be followed by the 30% that felt like a very dramatic series finale (and this is something that personally does not do it for me). While Things You Save in a Fire is not a new personal favorite, it was a diverting and quick read.