This book belongs on my very short list of the best books I have read in my lifetime! It touched my very soul, had me crying, and laughing and often just smiling to myself. Cassie is a firefighter, one of the very best and a paramedic. Two tragedies as a young teenager left her unable, or not wanting, to feel anything, no emotions. Her mother left on Cassie’s sixteenth birthday, leaving her with her father and Cassie stayed angry about this for many years. Then her mother falls ill, needs her help and Cassie goes to help her, but just for perhaps a year. She does not want to, but circumstances have sort of forced her. This is a really sweet, touching story, mostly about forgiveness and the ability to learn to love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Things we saved in a fire had me caught up so fast. It's crazy how fast I was invested in Cassie's well being and mental health. I enjoyed the fact that she was a women living in a "man's world".shes facing those sterotypes and stigmas most women have to overcome when their careers is male dominated.
The rookie is adorable and clearly in love with Cassie. He just wants to get to know her and fix things - cause somethings is Cleary wrong.
The stalker element was happily unexpected and something I felt added to the story. Now although I loved the whole thing the end kind of fell flat to me. The confessions and the rapid wrap up was a little unsettling but all in all thumbs up

Cassie is an Austin firefighter and she's darn good at it; she is even up for a huge promotion. When her estranged mother calls and asks her to move across the country to live with her in Massachusetts, Cassie couldn't think of anything she'd rather do less. However, when an award ceremony goes drastically south and her career comes to a screeching halt she must take her mother up on her offer or give up firefighting forever. Joining a new fire house would be tough enough but when the captain makes it known he is not interested in a woman joining his brigade, Cassie must work harder then ever to fight for her position and respect in the house. She has been assigned the duty of looking after the very handsome Rookie.
This is a well written story about finding forgiveness and strength when the odds are stacked against you. Cassie is a likable character with a tragic back story and a newfound desire to be a more open and forgiving person.

Funny, real, sad, sweet, all these things and more! I really enjoyed this book- I read it in a day! I really appreciated the author’s accuracy when describing all of the firefighting aspects. I was so happy to get a chance to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This review is four stars that I only give to books that I won’t soon forget, that have a little something extra special to them. This is one of those books that deserves all four!

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down! I loved the main character Cassie-a tough firefighter who loved her job but fought against any interpersonal connections. It was a delight to follow her journey from being so closed off from others to opening herself up. There was a strong theme of forgiveness and I loved how it focused more on to how forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself. I was extremely invested in the characters and was bawling at the end! I enthusiastically recommend this book!!

I am not sure I have ever related to and loved a character as much as I loved and related to Cassie.

Things You Save in a Fire is a beautiful story about forgiveness, family, love and perseverance.

What I loved most was how real Cassie was. She experienced severe heartbreak and trauma, and while she closed herself off from emotions, she pushed herself to succeed in a career she was passionate about. She is both fragile and impossibly strong.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the inside view into what it’s like for female firefighters. Through Center’s writing, I felt like I was right there with Cassie fighting for her place, proving herself and finding love and forgiveness.

Katherine Center has become one of my favourite authors. I really enjoy her style of writing, she incorporates heavy subjects and manages to keep the books enjoyable and relatable. I found myself laughing, smiling, and gasping at different parts of this book. It kept me engaged and I finished it in a day.

I loved this book. It is a feel good read. Cassie moves across the country after something from her past came back to haunt her and her mither needs her. As a female firefighter she struggles to be accepted in a firehouse that has never seen a girl before. Cassie needs to fight to be accepted while at the same time learn to forgive things from her past.

First of all I must admit I'm not usually a romance reader, but having really liked How to Walk Away, I knew I would like this as well and I did! And I also appreciated the allusion to that novel as the firefighter who saved the protagonist is the main character in this one, The story revolves around Cassie, a take-no-prisoners firefighter who suddenly loses her job and relocates to a small town where most of the men resent a woman joining their ranks. She's been summoned by her mother who needs help with an illness, but they've been estranged for years as Diana left Cassie and her dad to marry another man on Cassie's 16th birthday. Enter Owen, the newest rookie who is drop-dead gorgeous. But this isn't your typical Lifetime movie scenario at all. There are many layers to the plot, lots of great humor, and plenty of suspense. Center speaks to themes, of forgiveness, misogyny, familial love, friendship, revenge, and redemption. About 75% of the way through I dissolved into a puddle of tears and was crying like a baby by the end. So if you like an emotional but often humorous read, this is a title for you!

Another winner from Katherine Center. I was excited to be able to read this through NetGalley, and happy to leave a review. Not only was this an engaging story, but it also taught lessons about love and forgiveness. Cassie was a strong but vulnerable lead character. I also liked the supporting cast of characters at the fire station, and Cassie’s mom and her neighbor. This was a quick, light read, but with depth. 4 stars.

This was a quick read about a woman firefighter, Cassie, trying to survive and dominate in a male-driven firehouse. I found Cassie like-able and earnest, but also stubborn at times. She was a "real" and "flawed" character. Although parts of the story felt rushed, I did enjoy getting lost in another world filled with strong characters, and a beautiful ocean setting. Told through Cassie's eyes, the story flew by. It was interesting to see how Cassie's history had shaped her beliefs and determination as a firefighter.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing this book!

Things You Save in a Fire was a story I simply could not put down. I finished it in one day. Author Katherine Center explores real issues faced by women today. One of the themes through the story is gender bias in the workplace and how a female navigates her way in a male dominated profession. Another theme is how differently individuals handle tragedy and cope with their grief. Throughout this story Center also explores complex family dynamics and how life can and does change, altering our perspective. An insightful and entertaining story!

I am beyond sad about the fact that this book was a DNF for me, my first of 2019. This wasn't all that sad, however, because as much as I loved Happiness for Beginners, I didn’t like How to Walk Away as much. A little voice in my head told me to be wary of what Katherine Center wrote next.

If I don’t like a character, chances are, I probably won’t like the book. In Things You Save in a Fire, I felt nothing for the characters. I should have loved the main character but there wasn’t enough in her character in the beginning for me to love her. Since I decided to stop reading at about fifty five percent, I don’t know if there was a change in her by the ending. However, if I don’t see a change in the character development that far into the book, any change won’t be as fleshed out.

Adding fuel to the fire was the fact that the romance bored me. Frankly, there was nothing about Owen and Cassie and their budding love that interested me. In some ways I understood where Cassie was coming from but I had a hard time believing in the love at first sight situation.

I didn’t think there was anything especially memorable about Things You Save in a Fire. I’m not sure I’ll read another Katherine Center book again. There’s a place in my heart for Happiness for Beginners and I don’t want to taint my love for Katherine Center, in my opinion, at her best.

4.5 gushy stars!

"Case wouldn't even say the word fart in front of me. He'd just glance my way and say, "toot."

This book was beyond cute. It was a cute story, with (mostly) cute characters, and yet it managed to bring a range of emotions to the surface for me...I laughed, my heartbeat raced, and at one point, I even cried. At it's core, Things You Save in a Fire, felt very raw and very human.

The characters were so well developed and fleshed out, they all felt like people I actually know. Or, at the very least, people I'd like to know. Cassie, our main protagonist, is a tomboy who is heroic, hard to reach, a little cynical, filled with the need for revenge, and ultimately, so, so lonely. Nevertheless, I think we could all use a little of Cassie's spunk and confidence.

There were many story-lines to follow...the trauma of Cassie's teen years, Cassie as a firefighter in Austen, Cassie as a firefighter in Lillian, Cassie's troubled relationship with her mother, and with the other firefighters...but every thread tied together seamlessly. Katherine Center is a truly gited writer and author. I look forward to reading The Bright Side Of Disaster, another of her novels, which is waiting or me in my Kindle library as I type this.

If you desire a book which contains elements of drama, action, romance, and ultimately, a poignant look at forgiveness...Things You Save in a Fire has your name written all over it's cover. Prepare to be swept away!

**A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader's copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest opinion. And thank you to Katherine Center for writing a book I could totally gush about on-line. Books like this are, in my opinion, few and far between.

*ARC was won through a GoodReads giveaway*
First off-I could not have been happier to win this giveaway! I read my first Katherine Center novel in April 2017, with How to Walk Away, and had to go about getting my hands on EVERYTHING this author has written!! I love her writing style, and starting “a Katherine book” feels like sitting down with an old friend.
I tried to pace myself, I really did. I’ve zipped through Mrs Center’s other novels so fast I wanted to try to enjoy this one. I managed for a little while, reading just a couple of chapters a day. I started this on a Monday, and by the following Sunday I still had half to go. Then I managed to finish (devour might be a better word) the rest that day.
I don’t want to rehash the plot. Just know that this book is both heartwarming & heartbreaking, not to mention chock full of forgiveness. Parts of this story felt almost like a mini therapy session, and I personally hope I can remember the lessons in the future. The characters Mrs Center creates are immensely likable, and the dialogue between them flows so effortlessly. The pace of the story and plot move quickly, plus there’s a little something for everyone-romance, a little action, with family drama thrown in-all in a very well researched package!
Get it as soon as you can-you WON’T be sorry!! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and then at the end tear up again because it’s over...

Cassie's a firefighter . . . a 26 year-0ld female firefighter (emphasis on fighter) who relocates from Austin to the outside of Boston to help her mother whose health has taken a turn for the worse. Although she's at the top of her game, it isn't easy to be a woman in a predominantly man's world. But Cassie can take it, and she does until love comes to town in the alluring shape of a rookie firefighter who is on her squad. Forbidden love.
And a romance is always nice, but what makes the book special is the theme of forgiveness. Each of us has a fire threatening to destroy all we love, but the only way to hold back the flames is to let go of the anger that keeps them burning.

Fun, breezy romantic workplace comedy with a well-written, strong, emotional female lead. When her estranged mother falls ill, firefighter Cassie is forced to move from Austin to Boston to help care for her. In doing so, she must leave her position at her fire station and start over at a small Boston station where the other firemen look down upon a "female firefighter" and make life difficult for her. As she tries to rebuild her reputation, she also falls for the other station rookie. I liked the relationships in this book: Center does a good job writing romance and interpersonal drama and I thought the family and work dynamics were engaging and had me invested. Great crowd-pleasing palette cleanser if you're looking for a quick romantic read.

Thank to the publisher for an ARC to read and give my honest opinion.

Loved it! Lovely story about falling in love and forgiveness. Cassie is a female firefighter that doesn't do romantic entanglements because of something terrible that happened on her 16th birthday.

What did I like? It's a really lovely story that teaches us a lot about how forgiveness not only helps us but it frees us. Cassie starts her life over in a new fire department where she develops a crush on the rookie Owen. The chemistry is sweet, and the pranks of the guys of the department fun until someone spirals out of control.

Would I buy this book? Yes, it's a great read and would be a fantastic loaner. If your looking for a great book....this is a story that you must read. I shed a few tears but the whole story was amazing and kept me enthralled.

Thoughts for the author? This was my first book by this author and I think it was recommended but it was highly enjoyable. I would definitely read for this author again. Five huge stars of entertainment!

Things You Save in a Fire is one of those special books where you just want to wrap yourself up in a blanket and ignore real life until you’ve finished the final page.

This book is my definition of a well-rounded novel. It is relevant, heartbreaking, hopeful, witty, clever, and romantic. The author’s storytelling ability shines in this novel. She writes about realistic characters with realistic feelings and struggles. She pulls you in quickly, invests you in the characters, and makes you feel a gamut of emotions.

I was immediately invested in Cassie’s story. I was on her side, high-fiving her, and cheering her on right from the very beginning. She was a strong, feisty, courageous woman. She wasn’t just a good firefighter, she excelled in this male-dominated career. She put the work in, trained hard, and gained the skills that put her at the top of her field.

Cassie lived, breathed, and dedicated her life to firefighting, but her personal life was lacking. She didn’t do relationships, she definitely didn’t fall in love, and she certainly wasn’t looking to meet anyone. But she couldn’t help but be drawn to the rookie in her new firehouse. With all of his friendliness, kindness, and warmth, it was nice to have one man on her side in this “old boys club.” Let me just say, the rookie was a pretty special guy.

Underneath Cassie’s tough exterior, she harbored a great deal of anger, pain, and resentment. I felt it all right along with her. I wanted to reach through my Kindle and give her a big hug, but then again, she would’ve been more comfortable with a couple of pats on the shoulder and a "You’ve got this, girl."

Things You Save in a Fire was just an all-around wonderful reading experience. It was a heartfelt story of forgiveness and strength. Throughout the pages I was smiling, laughing, crying, and simply enjoying every moment that I got to spend with these fabulous characters.

Things You Save in a Fire was on my list of most anticipated books for 2019, and needless to say, it did not disappoint. It was everything that I had hoped it would be…and so much more. Katherine Center is definitely one of my must-read authors.

*5 Stars

An incredible work full of the power of healing that serves as an ultimate guide to embracing life and all that comes if a fire should ignite your life.