After reading a book that I love I usually always have a lull in reading. Who we kidding? The whole last two years has been a lull for me. I always just want something that is enjoyable and easy to read after that type of book. I just usually have a hard time finding it and end up one starring stuff.


This is that type book. And I liked it. I liked it a lot. I gave up sleep for this book. Sleep is one of my favorite things.

The book is centered on a female firefighter (Cassie) who gets in a bit of a hot mess back in her hometown of Texas. She loves the job though and does not want to start off again. Her estranged mom has called and wants her to spend a year 'helping her' after her eyesight is starting to go. Cassie agrees to do it just so she can keep doing what she loves.

The move from Texas to Boston is totally new. She is living in a small house with her mom (who she has never forgiven for leaving) and the new fire department? Full of old school guys who don't think 'a lady' needs to be in their environment.

Then Cassie sees the Rookie. He starts on the same day she does. He is not the picture perfect little firefighter that calendars are made of...but the dude saves puppies.


*swoon*

This is a cute little story. I was never bored. I liked the characters and even when it went on the mushy side I still didn't chunk it. Probably because I liked reading about a main character that kicks butts AND is female.


Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

Protagonist Cassie Hanwell is a firefighter who is uprooted to take care of her mother in a town that does not want a female firefighter. Not only does Cassie prove them wrong, she is able to learn a lot about forgiveness along the way. Cassie grew up thinking some things in her life were true - and has spent a lot of time avoiding them since. It was an amazing growth story to see her open up her heart to the people around them even if it meant she could get hurt again.

The characters were relatable and this is the kind of story that leaves you rooting for every character. I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for gifting me this advanced reader copy!

Things You Save In a Fire by Katherine Center is a relatively quick read, but it delves into a deep subject.
Cassie is a firefighter and has struggled with being female in a male profession. She's worked hard to get where she is. She's also been estranged from her mother.
Her mother contacts her and requests help. Cassie will need to quit her job and move to a new fire company where she will have to fight to prove herself again. And all for a woman she had had many problems with.
Cassie learns about forgiveness and the value of letting go of old hurts and anger.

Things You Save in a Fire was my first title by Katherine Center. I'm struggling to write this one a bit... while I thought it was a quick, mostly charming story, I feel like I'm rating it somewhat low in a field of 4-5 star reviews.

Cassie's relationship with her mother and the process of healing and understanding was my favorite part of this story. I also appreciated Cassie's growth of character... it felt like she deepened and came to terms with a lot through the course of the book. (And Owen? Well, what more could you want in a love interest??) Despite Cassie's growth, though, I had trouble connecting with her through most of the book. And the ending wrapped everything up a little too quickly and neatly for me... there was just this huge mess and then everything suddenly fell into place.... it just felt a little convenient and forced. Some reviews described this as a romantic comedy/drama... I feel like it was mostly family and romantic drama. (I'll include a trigger warning for sexual assault - although that's not described in any detail.)

I do think it's worth a look for lovers of women's fiction, and when it releases in August, it'll be a very popular end-of-summer beach read! Many thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital review copy.

Though not my favorite genre, Things You Save in a Fire is an entertaining, enjoyable, light read. I think there were elements of the book that could have been improved, mainly the tone and the predictability of the book, but honestly, it truly fits the genre. This would make a great beach read, in my opinion.

Things You Save in a Fire is a breathtaking novel that just lingers with you long after it’s done. I read it in less than a day, and was immediately sucked into Cassie’s world as a badass femal firefighter. Over the course of the novel, we see her struggles as she finally deals with some family issues and learns the true meaning of forgiveness. There’s subtle but important lesson running throughout but it’s so well woven into the novel, that you almost can’t tell it’s there. There’s also a pretty perfect romantic interest which helps soften Cassie’s tough exterior and show us that sometimes being vulnerable is a strength and that sometimes the best things can come out of that.

This book was an amazing read from start to finish. It took me a little while to read due to a crazy semester of nursing school but i was always excited to get back into the story that kept me captivated.

I would highly recommend this one to all of my book loving friends!

Thank you for the ARC of this book. My reviews can be read on my GoodReads page at https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1335387-kelly.

Let’s just start by saying I am not a Woman’s Fiction type of reader. I don’t really care for strong female characters and their life-changing stories. I usually read Thrillers, Horror and anything that has to do with death and being scared. But man, this book just melted my heart and I couldn’t get enough of it.

Katherine Center did an amazing job building up the main character, by the end of the book I felt like I was right there with her, going through everything she was going through. As well as giggling like a teenager who just met a cute boy.

It was funny, sad, heartwarming and life-changing. I was laughing, almost crying (I don’t cry when reading lol) and reading as fast as I could because I just had to find out what happens next.

I finished it in just a few days, which is an amazing accomplishment for a mom of three.

This book follows Cassie, a female firefighter. And even though she is a girl she is tough as nails. I’d say tougher than most of the guys. The girl can do 29 one handed pull-ups. Wow! And there’s a good reason why she is like that.

The running theme throughout the book is forgiveness, and Cassie struggles with forgiving her mom. Life throws some curve balls at her and she has to navigate through them.

I loved this book so much that as soon as I finished this book I went and bought two more of Catherine's books. And LOVED them too!

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of "Things you save in a fire" by Katherine Center.
First, Cassie is a firefighter who needs to travel and take care of an ailing parent. Unfortunately, Cassie and the parent have a challenging relationship but the characters grow throughout the book. Cassie slowly evolves into a better version of herself.
Second, the author did an amazing job showcasing the hardships females face in male-dominated fields such as the fire service. She also further expanded on the firehouse relationships and expectations.
Third, I'm almost embarrassed to say that this was only my second book by Ms. Center and she is now a favorite author.
I highly recommend.

I couldn't put this one down! I love the wittiness of Katherine Center's writing style. Cassie, the main heroine of the book is very likable and the setting (firefighter life) was interesting to read about. Highly recommend and I am eagerly awaiting her next book- they are such treats to read!

Such a great story. I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend reading it. Can’t wait to read more of her books.

4.5/5 I usually pass on books that claim to give you "all the feels," but Center's writing has a way of pulling you in and making what could have been fluff into something much more real. I loved all of the details thrown in about the firehouse and what it's like to be the only woman in a male-dominated profession. I actually met a woman who is a firefighter with the Austin Fire Department just last week. She looked like she could totally enter a fire, throw a 25olb guy over her shoulder and pull him out. If we ever cross paths again, I think I might just tell her about this book!

What a great read! Cassie is one badass fireman. Wow to be able to do one pull up let alone a one armed pull up. The book starts off in a fun easy read and then the heart of the book is revealed. The author has created characters with a story. It's easy to judge without knowing the story but we as humans all make mistakes. I loved how the Rookie, Diana and Josie broke down the wall around Cassie and showed her love is possible. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Things You Save in a Fire was everything I wanted and more. Katherine Center has done it again and there is a reason she is my most recommended author as of late. This book hits you from places you didn’t even know you knew. The story of Hanwell kicking butt, taking names, and having an iron stare on the future is one you don’t want to miss. It is a tale that will keep you up speed reading to see what happens next. A firm nod to Center for such a valuable, soul wrenching novel. Read this book. You will not regret it. Thank you to Net Galley and publisher for this ARC, I can’t wait to add this title to the shelves holding my favorites.

“Things You Save in a Fire” is the latest novel by Katherine Center. I have been a fan of the author since I first read “Everyone is Beautiful” several years ago, and fans who appreciate Center’s quirky perspective on human nature will certainly not disappointed with her recent effort.

Protagonist Cassie Hanwell is a firefighter with the Austin Fire Department and the novel opens as she is about to receive the Austin Fire Department’s Valor Award. While she anxiously awaits for her name to be called, she discovers that someone from her past is about to present the award. The reader is told that Cassie keeps to herself and does not typically date and based on the incident she has with the presenter (no spoilers, but it’s funny), the reader can understand why.

Before Cassie has opportunity to recover from the shock of her award presenter, she returns a phone call from her mother who is requesting Cassie leave her current job and return to Massachusetts to care for her while she recovers from a health issue. Cassie is adamant about not leaving her current job where she’s worked hard to succeed in a field normally heavily occupied by the male gender. But as with any situation involving a needy parent, Cassie is obligated to pull her roots and head to Massachusetts, where she gets a new job with the Lillian Fire Department.

Unfortunately, the Lillian Fire Department has never had a female firefighter and no one is happy for Cassie to be the first.

As Cassie works through this animosity, the reader starts to understand why she is the way she is. Katherine Center gives the mother-daughter relationship a fresh perspective, and I appreciate the research I imagine she went into to make the firehouse, which could be its own character, so believable. Cassie is immediately likeable and many times, you want to laugh and groan along with her. The different fire fighters are an interesting crew, including "the rookie" who Cassie fights feelings for. I was able to finish this novel in just a handful of sittings, and I am already anticipating her next read.

I'd like to thank St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel. All views are my own.

Cassie Hanwell is one of the best firefighters in Texas and one of the few females in a very male dominated profession. When a series of events force her to move from Austin to Boston, she has to struggle all over to gain the respect she deserves. The environment is tough and the crew even tougher but the very likable rookie makes her consider breaking the iron clad rule – firefighters don’t date other firefighters. As tensions mount, sparks fly and Cassie has to come to terms with what to save and what she needs to let go of.
If you are looking for a fun, cute and emotional contemporary read, this is the book for you. Cassie and the rookie (I still have a hard time remembering his name because you don’t actually learn it until late in the story) were very genuine and likable characters and their traumas and struggles were real. As I read, I was cheering for them and a happy ending. While I felt the situation in the beginning that prompted Cassie’s move was a bit unbelievable and forced, it didn’t reduce my enjoyment in the story. I actually stayed up way too late to finish this one. Highly recommend. 5 stars.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 glorious ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
So has of right now this is my favorite read of 2019! I loved it so much and I think Katherine Center might be my new favorite author! I knew it was going to be good but it surpassed all my expectations.

Great story telling with complex characters this author always has me sitting on the edge of my sit dying to know what’s going to happen next. Love, love her writing and her heroines. Katherine Center does such an amazing job telling a story. I soak it all up like a sponge and drown in the feelings. There is something really special happening in every book of hers that I read.

Things I loved:
* The rookie, Owen
* The chemistry ❤️
* The mother, Diana.
* The fireman
* HEA

Favorite quotes:
[“I rubbed my eyes. “I wasted so much time.” She squeezed my hand again. “That’s just the human condition, sweetheart. We’re always doomed to waste our time.”]

“I knew too much about life to pretend that it wasn’t half tragedy. We lose the people we love. We disappoint each other. We misunderstand. We get lost and lonely and angry. But right now, in this moment, we were okay.”

This was a NETGALLEY gift and I gave an honest review and all opinions are my own!
Happy Reading! ❤️

I really enjoyed this book. I’m not a fan of sappy books, but this had the perfect blend of family drama, girl power and a sweet love story. My husband is a firefighter, so I also enjoyed the firehouse story and how it depicted actual work scenarios and what male firefighters would think of a female coming into their predominantly male world. The cover is also great, and that always catches my eye when picking my next read.

I simply want to bow down to the talent of Katherine Center. She has outdone herself with this one! Things You Save in a Fire was a beautifully written story. Even though I am automatically drawn to the romantic portion, I also absolutely loved every other aspect of this book as well. It not only showed the ugly and cowardly side of human nature, it also showed the many ways that bravery is exhibited on a daily basis in little and big ways. It demonstrated how to forgive not only others , but also yourself for small and large transgressions. It stressed living in the moment and appreciating even the small things because time is not guaranteed. It was definitely so much more than a romance novel.

Cassie Hanwell is undoubtedly one of the most impressive female lead characters I think I've ever read. She had personally been through some extremely difficult experiences when she was sixteen and even though she shut herself down, she survived it. She took on her job and became the best at it. She let very few things ruffle her until the one "incident" at the banquet....and then when she meets Owen aka "the Rookie." Cassie always said she thrived under pressure and it was true that she did. That was a good thing for those around her because it meant she could compartmentalize her feelings and still make decisions to benefit them. She evolved so much over the course of the book from a unforgiving and closed off individual to a more sensitive, caring woman capable of forgiving and loving others more fully. She can thank her mother's honesty about her past as well as Owen's honesty with her as well. Both of them helped her be able to trust again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

** I will post to Goodreads in July when it is closer to the date it will be published. I will post to Amazon and B&N when book releases.**