For the most part I really enjoyed this book and the author's writing is pretty great. Cassie is great, strong female lead that was thrown into some pretty crappy situations. I loved that instead of getting her down she used it all to push harder. She never really let anything get to her, well except fuel her own fire to be looked as an equal, not an easy task as a firefighter. Especially when assigned to a "good ole boy" squad. She takes everything in stride though and just proves herself over and over again earning the respect she damn well deserved.

I really enjoyed the small romance part in this too. The Rookie was definitely lovable and not your typical egotistical guy we saw with other firefighters. He was sweet but also stuck up for Cassie when the time came to stick his neck out when it mattered the most.

There was one part of this book that I found hard to forgive and I just can't get over how it was really handled I guess. I felt the person got off way too easily. Had lives not been endangered I think I could have let it go a bit better but that's just not the case with this one.

With that said, this is still a good story and I can see why so many love it. I'm the girl in the middle of the track who enjoyed it but it just didn't bring out the emotions for me to love it.

I wasn’t sure what this book is classified as, is it romance? Not my genre, it it worked for me anyways. I didn’t love the main character, and I kept thinking this book was about to veer into super hokey territory, but then it changed course a bit. Or maybe it was still a bit hokey, but was still well done and I enjoyed it anyways? I don’t know, I’m still working out my feelings on this one I guess. All I know is that I enjoyed this very much despite thinking I was going to dislike it several times throughout the book. This will make a very good summer beach read with a bit more substance.

This book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

As usual in her books the author has created a heart warming book that hits important societal issues. This books deals with the aspect of a woman working in a "man's" world, the stereotypes women have to deal with, the harassment, and how women have to behave or else they wont be accepted. At one point the main character is even told, no makeup, no jewelry, and to keep her hair up so she can survive in a fire house. I found that incredibly sexist. Men don't have limitations so why should women. That is just the tip of the iceberg. The author hits this issue head on and I absolutely love the way she over comes it.

This book was excellent and I’m not a fan of women’s literature! In fact, the more mushy it gets, the more I tend to stay away.

Things You Save In a Fire is not this type of book. It's smart, courageous and causes you to think about your own emotions, especially old hurts and scars.

The book starts off with Cassie Hanwell being a fire fighter in Austin, Texas and she’s one of the best.
But on a day of celebration of heroic acts that she did for the city, she’s faced with a blast from the past. And this past is not a good one!

Cassie’s estranged Mom calls her around this same time and asks if she will come live with her in Massachusetts, for a year. She’s blind in one eye, struggling with some medical issues and needs help.

Having two things change her life course in matter of days, Cassie heads to Boston to live with her Mom. She's relocated to a firehouse that's an hour away from Boston.

The Lillian Fire Department is completely different from the progressive fire house in Austin. They don’t have decent funding for equipment much less know how to work with a “lady” firefighter.

I loved Cassie Hanwell! She's a strong, independent woman with tough skin. She's smart and competent. She doesn’t do emotion and especially not love.

Enter Owen Callahan, aka The Rookie.

I enjoyed the chemistry and the friendship with Cassie and Owen from the beginning. Owen is the type of guy you want to fall in love with. The type of guy you want to marry.
He’s easy going, kindhearted along with being a good guy.

This is the first book that I’ve read of Katherine Center and it won’t be the last!
I loved her writing along with this plot. She nailed the characters and the emotions that it takes to be a firefighter, much less being a woman firefighter.
I work in a male dominated profession myself and she wrote it well. Bravo Katherine Center for getting it right!

Things You Save In a Fire is an emotional, brave and vulnerable book. It caused me to tear up on occasion because of frustration, love and just having the courage to run into that burning building alone!

First, I’d like to say I was thrilled to receive this ARC from NetGalley. Katherine Center really got me with How to Walk away so I jumped at the chance to preview her newest novel, Things You Save in a Fire.
Cassie Hanwell is good at many things: firefighting, medical emergencies, and avoiding her pain. After her past comes screaming back in multiple ways, she is forced to deal with her pain and learn to forgive, including herself.
I enjoyed the story very much. It was a fast paced read and very interesting. I especially enjoyed the story lines around the emergency calls. Cassie grew a lot from beginning to end, but I still didn’t love her. Rookie, on the other hand, was wonderful and I loved his story.
The themes of trauma, grief, and forgiveness were thought provoking. However, I felt they stopped short of being deep enough to impact the reader. I wish it addressed more around the sexual trauma.
Overall, I recommend for a quick read.

I laughed so hard while reading this book. I kept reading parts of it to my hubby because some parts were so funny. Don't be foil though, this is not a comedy. This is the story of Cassie, a star firefighter, who is about to receive one of the most prestigious awards a firefighter can receive for an act of bravery. The Maire has scheduled to hand her the award but was called to a more pressing matter and went one of his counselors to do the honour. Cassie has a history with this counselor and when he discreetly grabs her butt during the award ceremony, she cracks the award plaque on his head and gives him a good beating. Cassie is told to apologize to the counselor or lose her job. She compromises by being transferred to another station near her estranged mother who has just resurfaced and is asking for her help. This is a new start but it will not be easy in a station where men have ruled and do not like women to join them. And there is also the rookie... The handsome rookie who has stirred something in Cassie which she thought was not possible.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this fantastic novel. Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center will be available at your favourite bookstore on August 13, 2019.

4½ stars rounded up. Things You Save in a Fire was my first book by Katherine Center and I absolutely loved it! It's a quick and easy read, that made me feel weepy as much as it made me laugh out loud and squeal with delight. The writing flows so well, and I found myself quickly turning page after page, quickly devouring the story. Center's writing is simple, no extravagance or anything like that, but she honestly doesn't need it; her writing evokes powerful emotions and what I enjoyed most about it is that it's completely relatable.

This book is about the strength of healing and the power of forgiveness, especially of oneself. I really enjoyed Cassie's character arc--she's such a strong female lead--and as her walls were slowly chipped away, I found myself delighted that she was able to finally grant forgiveness to her 16-year-old self and her mother, and to embrace the love and support that the people around her had to give. It was easy to forget that Cassie is relatively young because she has a certain maturity and confidence that's usually found in older characters, and this is especially so when she dealt with the issues she faces at the new firehouse. Also in dealing with her mother, I found Cassie developed a mature understanding about the situation that I would have had trouble swallowing even now, had I been in her shoes.

I thought the romance between Cassie and the Rookie was sweet, and I loved that his character was much "softer" compared to her hard-as-nails one. Although to be honest, I was trying really hard to feel their chemistry, but even up until the end I wasn't overwhelmed with their connection; certainly not enough for such a grand HEA. To be fair though, it's probably just me who thought that and it certainly didn't take (much) away from my enjoyment of the story! The Rookie honestly sounds kind of like the dream man I'd want in real life--I mean, anyone who loves to cook and bake me delicious things, and is always understanding and supportive, is definitely a win! While romance was the big hook here, I also really enjoyed how the relationship evolved between Cassie and her mother, Diana. Mending their relationship really proves how much power there is in forgiveness.

Overall, this was a great feel-good romance and I'm looking forward to reading more from Katherine Center. If her other books are anything like this one, I know I will surely enjoy them!

Thanks to Netgalley, Katherine Center and St. Martin's Press for making this book available to read in exchange for an honest review. I have posted this review on my Goodreads and I will post it on my Blog (www.dinipandareads.home.blog) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/dinipandareads) closer to the date of publication.

I was so excited Tom read this book! I loved the authors previous book and this one did not disappoint. The characters are well thought out, the storyline is developed and the writing is superb. I am looking forward to gifting this book to some friend some of mine when it is published.

I loved every moment of this book, from the small reference to How To Walk Away to the strong female lead. This one was hard to put down and I found myself craving more of Cassie and the rookie’s story once it was over. 5 big stars!

i Loved this book and I love Katherine Center's writing. Last year i read her book How to walk away and absolutely loved it. I was worried that this one wouldn't live up to it but I believe this one is every bit as good! I love her writing style - it is so easy to read and the storyline is not hard to get interested in. I also must say - What an amazing cover - it is simply beautiful. I loved the storyline and I loved the characters and I thought this was just a great book! An absolute 5 star must read - add to your TBR now! ! Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin's Press for an advance copy of this amazing book in exchange for my honest review!

Cassie Hanwell is a firefighter—a female firefighter—living in Austin, Texas, when she gets an unexpected call that leads her to move to Massachusetts. She then has to start over in an old school, boys-club of a firehouse (a big change from her ultra-progressive Austin workplace) that doesn’t exactly welcome her with open arms.

With family drama, romance, some seriously nail-biting fire-and-rescue scenes, and even many laugh-out-loud moments, I loved this book. For me, the best part, hands down, was the main character, Cassie. She is a total badass! I loved that she is an amazing, incredibly accomplished firefighter and doesn’t ever apologize for that fact or try to hide it. We could all learn a lot from her. I also loved the dialogue in this book. It felt very real, but also funny and very witty. (And the romantic, flirty banter was adorable!)

If you love strong female characters and stories that manage to combine romance, laughs, and heart-stopping thrills, definitely pick this up. But do it fast, because this book is sure to be turned into an (amazing!) movie sooner rather than later. And I can’t wait to experience that, too. :)

LINK TO GOODREADS REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2763365216

Note: I will also be mentioning this on my blog (www.thesparklylife.com) and my Instagram (@alyssahertzig) when we get closer to publication date. I really did enjoy it. Thank you so much for allowing me to read it early!

This is my second book by Katharine Center. I'm so glad she's written more because it won't be my last. I read this book in 2 days. Only pausing because I have to work, eat, and sleep. It was such a good story. Cassie is a fire fighter in Texas with a distinguished career. Something happens that makes her need to either apologize or lie low for a while. At the same time her estranged mom calls from Massachusetts needing help. So Cassie moves and starts work at the Lillian Fire Department where she's the first woman. The story looks at what happened to Cassie at 16 and how that changed her. Along with trying to be accepted at her new job. Then there's the rookie who starts the same day. The story made me want to call my mom and tell her I love her. It also made me feel so sad for a young Cassie and root for her to figure her life out in Massachusetts. Overall I give this book 4.5 stars. It was full of love and hope and made me happy.

I genuinely loved this book. Cassie's story was gripping, and her job as a firefighter was fascinating to me, as someone who knew very little about the firefighting culture. I was rooting for Cassie to find her way, as she dealt with switching fire departments from Austin, TX to small-town Massachusetts, and finally faced the traumas from her past.

This work is a wonderful depiction of how powerful forgiveness can be. Cassie started her career as a firefighter in the liberal station of Austin. Before she knows it, she moves back with her estranged mother in Boston. Cassie was fine. She didn't need company. She didn't need love. She just needed her job, the chaos to calm her mind. It was until she mets the rookie that things shift. This book is a fantastic example of how to forgive the seemingly unforgivable, how to open up after trauma, and how to see answers in chaos. This book surprised me, it showed character development, and it would be a book recommendation!

Things You Save in a Fire had all of my favorite things in a story: a fierce and admirable heroine, a love interest, a complex and fast moving plot, and inevitably lovable characters. The exceptional plot of this book allowed for both tears of saddness and compassion to stream down my face and bouts of laughter to come from my deep within my chest. I could not put down Things You Save in a Fire. This is a story that will stick with all readers for a long time.

Despite seeing great, early reviews of this book, the synopsis just did not grab me, so I had no immediate plans to possibly ever read this book. However, when the publisher sent me an ARC, I happened to be on vacation and thought why not...and boy am I so glad that they did! This was such a surprisingly, wonderful book and I'm so glad that I read it. I was all in after just a few pages, and could not put it down from there until the end. I loved it, and will now be seeking out other books by Center.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me have this one.

A moving, funny, emotional quick read! 100% recommend and will be telling everyone to read this August!

Cassie (a badass female firefighter in progressive Austin, TX) moves up to Massachusetts at the request of her estranged mother who needs her care due to visual impairment. She transfers to a boys club fire station where they don’t take kindly to having a lady roaming around. From there, a complex story involving Cassie, her mother, and the men from the fire station evolves that will leave you smiling and crying at the same time.

Fans of Katherine Center’s How to Walk Away will LOVE this book - this one actually beats out How to Walk Away just by a hair!

Thank you to Katherine Center, NetGalley, & St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy!

A sharp witty look at facing life's challenges with a bit of dignity and self respect. This novel is a great look at how life can change fast when you're busy making plans and avoiding your feelings.

5964226
Janée Blue's review Mar 22, 2019 · edit
really liked it

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center will appeal to fans of romance, humor, and mystery. Center’s novel is well structured containing flashbacks, internal and external conflicts and strong characterization that enable the plot to move quite seamlessly as Cassie the protagonist reveals her journey from bitter teen devastated on her sixteenth birthday to her twenty- six-year old self, still bitter, still pushing down her emotions, and choosing to interact with few except her Texas family and her fellow firefighters in Texas. Romance is the least of her concerns, for she is a goal centered, smart, ultra-fit, and independent woman. Cassie’s well - ordered life is interrupted by her mother and father’s (now divorced) pleas for Cassie to temporarily live in Boston with her ailing, estranged mother. She gets a position as a firefighter in the Boston area, and the conflicts begin as the relationships at the new workplace are the opposites of her former one; plus, she and her mother’s relationship is uncomfortable.
At this point, Cassie steers toward a different life view, for with more personal contacts and socialization, Cassie is forced to adapt, slowly open up, and interact with others. Unaware her mother slyly and lovingly manipulates this reversal, Cassie slowly begins to heal from past wounds, begins to love, but there is also malevolent tension in the background. All conflicts are eventually resolved; however, I feel the ending is too good to be true. Yes, I understand this is fiction but everybody lived too happily ever after, sort of. I expected and wanted a less fairy tale ending, especially in reference to the malevolent tension mentioned above. (I will not reveal spoilers!) This is a “feel good” read and Center’s title is masterful and symbolic! This title will make for great book club discussion. You’ll understand that when you complete reading. Now I’m ready to read more of Katherine Center’s work.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Things You Save in a Fire, all opinions are my own.

Similar to How to Walk Away, it’s taken me a week to digest Katherine Center’s latest and greatest novel - Things You Save in a Fire. Writing this review will not do the book justice. I would give this book 10 stars if I had the ability to do so.

The story is about a woman firefighter, Cassie - who is forced to move across the country to take care of her estranged mother. Cassie leaves a woman friendly firehouse and enters one where she is looked down upon - regardless of her ridiculous ability to beat half the men at practically everything ever thrown her way - simply because she is a female.

I don’t want to say more about the story, because it is that good - you just need to read it. But make sure you have Kleenex with you - and time to ignore the rest of the world as you will so quickly be absorbed into Cassie’s world.

In the end, the story is one of family, love, and most importantly forgiveness. Kudos to Katherine Center for quickly throwing in a blurb about her heroine from How to Walk Away, and to writing another amazing story which will leave you so satisfied in the end.