I liked the way the author wove the issues the main character is dealing with and the story. On one had dealing with being one of the only females in a predominately male career while also dealing with the demands of the job and the emotions that come along with it. She did a good job of exploring and informing the reader about the aspects of the job.

Enjoyable and surprisingly thoughtful. Although this book gets off to a somewhat rocky start by throwing a number of events at the reader primarily to advance the plot, things quickly settle into a nice groove once the setting changes. Normally, this is the type of book that I read for pleasure and immediately forget about, yet the story has more weight to it than expected and gracefully deals with the difficult topic of forgiveness. I also liked how the main character is a firefighter; Center has clearly done her research on all of the minute details that a woman in this position would deal with on a regular basis. Certain parts of the ending are tied up a little too neatly, but overall I found this to be a sweet and memorable tale.

Sweet, funny, touching and just lovely! I enjoyed this book so much and absolutely loved the characters and their growth we got to witness throughout the story. It had some powerful moments and life lessons that really resonated with me. Fantastic book!

I liked Katherine's previous book (How to Walk Away) much better. I thought this book had a much weaker story line. I would recommend reading her earlier books over this one.

Katherine Center provides a romance novel that touches many emotional elements. A successful, young woman who thought she had put past trauma behind her, suddenly and swiftly, gets her life turned upside down. She is forced to deal with her past and future unexpectedly. The narrative does hold some predictive counterparts, however, Center gives many dimensions to the plot and provides a strong heroine to negate several of those familiarities. All of the characters that she has crafted are relatable on a basic human level. She integrates that "guy next-door" personality into many of them, allowing the reader to become easily absorbed in the story. Great summer read. 4 stars.

Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC of #ThingsYouSaveInAFire

I loved this book. I have read three other of Center’s books and I loved them all, but this new one may be my favorite. What a great story!

I love Katherine Center's books! They are just what I need sometimes. Lighthearted, intriguing, quick, feel-good reads. I read a lot of suspense/thrillers, so it's a breath of fresh air to read one of her books. My only complaint (if this even counts) is that maybe everything tied together a little too nicely at the end. Happy endings and closure are good, but it almost seemed a little TOO neat. Then again, it probably wouldn't give me the same warm fuzzy feeling if that wasn't the case!

If you love romantic comedy movies in general, this is that in book form. :) Enjoy!

I had high expectations for this book after reading Katherine Center's last one, How to Walk Away, and I am happy to report they were exceeded. This book was such a fun reading, with characters that were likable and had depth. Such a fun and easy read, and would definitely recommend it

Cassie Hanwell is an amazing firefighter, who unfortunately has to spend more time proving herself than actually fighting fires. This book completely took me by surprise. It was heartwarming, exhilarating, and taught me a lesson - a rare combination.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I enjoyed reading this. An interesting story with fun characters. Well written.

This unique storyline was on fire, and I couldn’t put it down! Normally I am not a huge fan of romance novels but in this story romance was secondary. Hanwell is a firefighter and a bad ass one at that! She has to be, to be accepted in her station, and be treated like one of the guys. When she transfers to a new station to be closer to family she gets hired at the same time as a rookie. They get their fair share of pranks and always seem to get put together for training and horrible chores in the station. When Hanwell starts to like the rookie she has to battle those feelings because she doesn’t want the guys to know. This story made me have a lot of respect for female firefighters. Hanwell’s character was incredibly tough and dedicated. I blazed through this one in a day!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of Things You Save in a Fire.

Cassie was the youngest person and the only woman to win the Austin's Fire Department Valor Award. She had saved many children in a schoolbus accident. They had even started calling her the School Bus Angel. As Cassie approaches the stage to receive her award, she blinks because her eyes must be deceiving her. This can't be Heath Thompson! As he is introducing her, he decides to touch her inappropriately. Cassie pummels him to the ground and beats him up in front all of the most important people in the city.

Shortly after this incident, Cassie's estranged mother calls to ask if she would put her life on hold for one year. She wants Cassie to move to Massachusetts to help her out with somethings since she had her last surgery. This is the last thing she wants to do since it was her mother who walked out on the family on Cassie's 16th birthday.

So many quick decisions must be made!!! What decision is Cassie going to make? Stay in Austin or move to Massachusetts? This decision will effect the rest of her life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, for this free review copy.

Last year I read How to Walk Away by Katherine Center, and absolutely loved it! I was pretty ecstatic to get approved for this title, MONTHS ago. I have held off for so long, and the sad thing for everyone else, is that this book does not release until August. I know. So far away.

Things You Save in a Fire was so well written. I devoured it in 24 hours, and know that I will read this again. The cover alone is so gorgeous, and I can't wait to have a copy for my shelf. This will remain one of my favorite books. It's that good.

The main character is Cassie. She is a female firefighter and a bad ass. In her life, Cassie has gone through so much heartbreak and trama. At a young age she learned what it was like to be left, by someone she thought loved her. When her mother asks her to move to Boston, she flat out says no. After a certain incident, she decides to agree to help her mom, and finds a new job at a new firehouse. She knows she is not wanted there since she is a female, and has even more ambition to prove them a wrong.

I LOVED Cassie. She was so strong and able to get through so much. There were many flaws but there was also so much growth. This book was well researched, which I really appreciated. Things You Save in a Fire had such a beautiful story about family and forgiveness. I really can't say much, without giving a lot away.

This book was a fantastic read, that I did not want to put down. I can't wait until it releases on August 13th, so more of you can read it. Definitely put it on your TBR!

Katherine Center does not disappoint! This book showed all the diversities of working as a firefighter. From the pranks to the life threating saves, the characters made you wanting more. The bond between firefighters thru trying times showed you how strong the brotherhood (or sisterhood) can be. The book also showed the power of forgiveness and being able to move on in life. This book is a must read and will be hard to put it down!

This novel was so funny, and sweet. A real page turner. It was so hard for me to put this one down. This fun novel is about a woman who must forgive in order to love. Cassie is one strong amazing woman. But she has to be, as she is the only firefighter at her firehouse. This was a very touching, humorous story. Katherine is a new found author for me, I absolutely love here writing.

I really enjoyed this quick read, my second of Katherine Center’s. The first of hers I read, How to Walk Away, I did not entirely enjoy due to how predictable I felt it was. Things You Save in a Fire, however, was a totally different experience for me! While I hoped all along for a happy ending, I wasn’t entirely sure it was going to happen, which made it extremely enjoyable to me. There was more depth to this story than HTWA, in my opinion. Center addressed some really important topics - grief and forgiveness - in a simple but effective manner. Overall, I enjoyed reading about this cast of characters and will look forward to Center’s next book!

Quality of Writing: 5/10
Pace: 7/10
Plot Development: 6/10
Characters: 5/10
Enjoyability: 5/10
Insightfulness: 4/10
Ease of Reading: 7/10
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️Alright, I have some mixed feelings about this book. On the surface? Cute. As a whole with deeper meanings and any well written themes? Adequate.
Cassie is this bada** female firefighter who just rocks at everything. She's strong, confident, independent, capable, able to keep her emotions in check, has a good sense of humor, attractive, and more. What else could you want in a Mary Sue? Yeah, despite her few moments of letting emotions get to her and propensity for pushing people who love her away out of stubbornness, I'd still call her a Mary Sue. Of course her love interest is just as perfect. He's handsome, physically fit, is an excellent cook, nice, accepting, practically telepathic to her needs, and more. What more could a girl want? I'd fall in love with him too.
The story has several "climax moments", but the actual climax just fell a little flat for me. Her big inspiring speech just felt kind of weird and little oversharing-ish, and the drama just wasn't there. Yes, everything was resolved, and there were no loose ends, but it still wasn't very satisfying for me.
Also, at some moments in the book there were moments that didn't make sense. At one point the rookie says, "your first career goal was to be the Tooth Fairy." I know for a fact (because I just double checked) that she never told him that. Or at least, the author didn't put it in the book. What Cassie did say was that she told that to her kindergarten class. Totally different things. So, why would the rookie know it?
This is probably where willful suspension of disbelief comes in. Unfortunately for Katherine Center, I just wasn't willing to believe whatever she told me. I didn't buy into the story and for the most part I didn't buy into the romance.

4.5 Stars
Gripping, heart-felt and life-affirming!

Katherine Center’s engaging new novel is about a female firefighter, Cassie, who keeps a tight rein on her emotions and personal life as she fights fires (and dispels stereotypes) alongside a mostly male crew in Austin, TX. Cassie’s life is nothing without her work, until she causes a negative PR incident for the firehouse. So when her ill and estranged mother reaches out to her for assistance, Cassie—like all good helpers--decides to pick up and move to Massachusetts.

A new firehouse and an all-male crew means Cassie must prove herself all over again. She is determined to elevate the station into the 21st century by introducing new methods, new equipment and new ideas. As expected, this is no easy task, and, to complicate matters, she is completely unmoored by the presence of another new fireman, nicknamed the Rookie.

Cassie’s old way of living a Spartan, all-work, emotionless life comes into question as her heart opens up to new possibilities. She learns to give in to the power of forgiveness, love and family, and finds the courage and strength to confront her past.

What I love about Katherine Center’s stories is that the characters are true-to-life and don’t have picture-perfect childhoods, relationships, marriages or careers. Bad things CAN happen to good people—or those not so good. The beauty of Katherine Center’s work, however, is that her characters manage to confront challenges in life with love, optimism and compassion for one another. The characters know happy endings may be fleeting, so they choose to live life fully and in the present—a good reminder to us all!

This is one of those books that will restore your faith in humanity and give you a new level of respect for all the men and women who risk their lives every day to save others.

*Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.*

So if you’ve been following me on social media, you have probably heard me rave about How To Walk Away by Katherine Center. It was by far the best book of 2018 and if anyone disagrees they can fight me. When Katherine Center announced this upcoming release, I was literally celebrating. Plus, it was a story about a female firefighter!!! The girl power freak in me went absolutely nuts. It also helped that Chicago Fire was on a break so this book really filled that void for me.

Cassie was a hard character to get a handle on. I almost was disappointed with this book because it took forever to really connect with her. In How To Walk Away you get emotional invested really quick. In Things You Save In A Fire, it seemed like well past the halfway mark before I really felt invested. It took me awhile to realize that was the point though. Cassie is a very closed off person who doesn’t let anyone get to close. So even the readers had to earn that trust to get behind her walls and really see the real Cassie. I felt that was a great build up to the character and by the climax of the book the bond the reader has with Cassie is so strong and the emotions are so real and raw.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5) I still need to go back and read all the amazing books by Katherine Center prior to How To Walk Away because her writing is phenomenal and the characters are like family. She definitely has another hit on her hands with Things You Save In A Fire.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing house for providing an advanced copy for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own! 

I never thought I would be such a sucker for a good love story, but I was completely head-over-heels for, How to Walk Away, and Center's beautiful writing. The author is now back with another beautiful love story, perfectly named, Things You Save in a Fire. 

Center's uses her husband's firefighter background to craft the story of Cassie Hanwell. In this fictional story, she is the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse and is respected by her colleagues and boss. After a public incident though that taints Hanwell's image, she finds the timing of her estranged and ailing mother's request to move to Boston lines up with when she needs to step down.

She joins the Boston firehouse and finds the environment to be a bit of a "boy's club." Her ability to separate her work from her personal life has never been an issue, but Cassie has never seen a guy like the rookie that she must train with on her new job. Cassie has built up walls for a reason and the rookie seems to be disregarding them, no matter how hard she tries.

This is a later coming-of-age story where Cassie must resolve her old hurts with her mother, confront the issue of aging parents, and admit why she has been unable to be close to anyone because of a traumatic incident in her past. That's not all though...she also must fight off someone who is stalking her and doesn't want to see her succeed at the fire station.

These characters are deeply flawed, just like we are and Center's does an incredible job making them feel real and relatable. The love story, I have to say, is FIRE and you can't help but root for these two brokenly beautiful people to love each other.

Definitely, pre-order this one for your summer stack! I'm recommending this beautiful read for anyone who is a Taylor Jenkins Reid fan! I know you will love it too!

Online Review Will be Posted on April 1st= http://www.momadvice.com/category/books