Sharp, incisive and fresh, this book should be required reading for book clubs. Katherine Center tells a story with grace, ferocity and conviction.

I don’t even know if I can put into words how much I loved this book. This was a 5 star read for me! Katherine Center’s writing is pure heartwarming magic, if you’ve read any of her books you know exactly what I’m talking about. This beautiful story of female firefighter Cassie made me laugh and cry, I was so absorbed in the story I started tearing up again during the ending. And oh my, the firefighting scenes were intense! Cassie’s badass courage and perseverance just got to me, she’s such a fantastically well-written character.

This is a story about heartbreak and love, but mostly about forgiveness. From her strained relationship with her mother, to being the first female firefighter in an old-school Boston firehouse, to coping with her traumatic past, this story takes you alongside Cassie’s journey in the best way possible. I highly recommend reading this one!

I love to read, but I am rarely moved to tears by a story. Katherine Center's How to Walk Away was the exception to the rule as I was 'tearing up' again and again(in a good way). When I reviewed the book, one comment I made was that I was excited to see what would come next from this author and Things You Save in a Fire did not disappoint.
Cassie is a young firefighter in a predominantly male profession. She is strong and brave at work, but in her personal life, well, let's just say, not so much. Unexpectedly, she gets a call from her mother asking Cassie to give up her job and relocate from Texas to Massachusetts. Her initial reaction is that isn't going to happen, but an incident along with some prodding from her father changes Cassie's mind.
The story revolves around her new job in a fire station with colleagues who do not embrace her with open arms(except for one rookie) and her very fractured relationship with her mother. Cassie learns there is more to life than just being good at your job, it is also about shaking off your past and opening your heart to forgiveness, love, happiness, and hope.
I don't want to say much more and risk entering spoiler territory. If you love well-written characters and a plot that can make you laugh and cry, you will want to add this book to your TBR list. The author knows how to write complex characters and I so enjoyed going on Cassie's journey.
I received a DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.

As usual, Center does well to capture the readers with her quirky characters, as they venture to discover their true selves and find love.

I found Cassie to be an extremely respectable protagonist. She was wholeheartedly good, and an excellent firefighter. She fought for the goodness in others, and expected a lot from herself, and from everyone else (basically she’s an Enneagram 1 to the max).

The love story just felt extremely rushed. The romantic dialogue seemed slightly immature, and there was a mystery element that wasn’t mysterious at all and in fact added more to the corniness.

I can see how Center’s books wouldn’t be for everyone, so let me tell you who I think would not appreciate books like hers:
People who don’t like strong and obvious themes throughout their books. (in this case, the theme was forgiveness, and she weaves it into several character arcs)
People who don’t like corny, obvious, rom com type romances

I personally can really enjoy these things in books, and I typically like Center’s books. This one just wasn’t my favorite of hers.

3.5/5 stars

Thank you St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for providing my copy.

"The Lost Husband" by Katherine Center is one of my favorite books, so I was really excited to read a new novel by this author. Unfortunately, I didn't even make it 2 chapters in before giving up. The main character was just a collection of unpleasant and overused tropes, like super heavy-handed allusions to a teenage secret, "I'm not a girl, I'm a firefighter!", calls her mom by her first name to show that she's Still Very Hurt over her parents' divorce, never dates, etc. I was very disappointed but this really isn't for me. DNF

If you are a fan of Katherine Center, definitely grab yourself a copy of Things You Save in a Fire. This is sure to make you laugh hysterically and also tear at your heart strings, in true Center fashion.

I would rate this book 4-4.5 stars. It was a quick, entertaining read! There were some predictable parts, but between the humor, secret romances, revenge schemes, fire adventures, etc, it was a fun story!

Katherine Center can do no wrong!! She keeps better with each book I read so please do yourself a fever- add anything and everything she has written to your wish list this holiday season and pre-order Things You Save In A Fire!!!!!

This was one of my favorite books this year! Great characters and story line- I could not put it down yet I did not want it to end.

Huge thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and of course, Center herself!!!!, for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I can't say enough wonderful things about this book, which might be my favorite Katherine Center to date. I was hooked from the very first chapter and couldn't put it down. Center's characters are like my real life friends - you see their struggles and flaws, but you're rooting for them to break through the tragedy in their lives. Now to go reread my other Katherine Center books!

I was thrilled to death for the opportunity to read an ARC of his new book. I was drawn in from the first chapter and could hardly put it down! Highly recommend!

This book is absolute genius. The characters are so compelling you get completely drawn into the story. The details ring true and the reader gets completely engrossed in Cassie’s story. Center has a way of creating storylines that just make you want to keep reading. And I did. And I’m glad.

I absolutely loved Things You Save in a Fire. It was engaging right from the start, introducing Cassie, a exceptional firefighter but a woman running from her past. When Cassie's mother becomes ill, Cassie has to face a choice- to live before in her comfortable yet lonely existence or confront her demons, prove her worth as a woman firefighter, and open her heart to love. This book is fantastic!

Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy of this novel!

Things You Save in a Fire is easily another 5/5 ⭐️’S⁣⁣ book for me! ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
Past Trauma.⁣⁣⁣
Hidden pain.⁣⁣⁣
Mother daughter drama.⁣⁣⁣
Striving to prove oneself in a male dominated work environment.⁣⁣⁣
Push and pull of a forbidden love interest.⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
This novel had all that and so much more. ⁣
This is a 2019 MUST read!!⁣ ⁣

Four stars. Things You Save in a Fire didn’t captivate me from the beginning like Katherine Carter’s How to Walk Away, but it was a steady amount of enjoyment and perfect for my beach vacation. I’ll happily recommend it to friends, and eagerly await Carter’s next book. Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed! Great story, started a little slow as the story was set up but from half on I couldn’t put down. Nice story with family, romance and a life lesson on forgiveness.

Cassie, the only female firefighter likes to see herself as a firefighting machine. In reality, she is separated from her emotions since childhood. She is forced to return to live with her mother and to start working in a new fire station and she has a lot of learning to do. This is a story of coming to terms with hurt and emotional pain. It also a story about forgiveness; forgiving yourself and other people and forming connections. The story is well told there are enough plot lines and while it is certainly not an easy path for Cassie she is a more complete human afterward. This was a very enjoyable read.

Oh my goodness - this is one of the best books I have read in a while! I haven't read How to Walk Away Yet, though I own it, and it is moving to the top of my pile after reading this. I love the way Katherine Center writes. Her style is so simple, yet detailed, and the story line of this book grips you from the beginning. Her characters display such wide range of emotions - from confusion, to anger, to forgiveness and contentment/happiness, just to name a few. I became emotionally invested in Cassie's story and finished the book in just over a day. Definitely a must read! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I haven't written a full review of Things You Save in a Fire yet, because I'm waiting until it's closer to the publication date. I loved How to Walk Away by Katherine Center--in fact, it was my first ever Book of the Month pick! So when her next book was announced, I couldn't resist requesting an early copy. I adored this book! It made me cry, which is my benchmark for a 5-star rating, had a badass heroine who learned to be vulnerable and soft while also running into a burning building for a living. I mean, how cool is that? Overall, I love that Center showcased a woman thriving in a traditionally-male career, and I loved the little nod to How to Walk Away, too. It felt like an exciting Easter egg since I had already read How to Walk Away!

This book has it all! Strength, love, romance, courage and hurt.
"Yes, the world is full of unspeakable cruelty. But the answer wasn't to never feel hope, or bliss or love--but to savor every fleeting, precious second of those feelings when they came.".
Cassie is one "Bad-Ass" girl. She is a firefighter/EMT/ who is as strong if not stronger than her male co-workers. She prides herself on taking care of every emergency without "feeling".
She has built a huge solid wall around her that will NOT allow any emotions to enter.
This barrier has been growing since she was young and her life was shattered one night following a party at the age of sixteen.
When she is transferred to another fire company to be near her estranged mother who is now desperately ill, her protective partition will slowly begin to crumble, piece by piece.
An excellent, well written novel! I was caught in Cassie's world and found myself rooting for her to take her life back!
You will love this story!

Things You Save In A Fire by Katherine Center is a story that hit me in the feels in all the best ways. After reading my second of her books, I'm realizing Katherine Center is the kind of author who writes books that absolutely captivate me, and I love her for it. This book focuses on Cassie who is a firefighter in Texas. She relocates to Boston after an unwelcome blast from the past and need to help her mother with her ailing health. Her new fire station is full of challenge. First of all, they're not exactly excited about having a woman join their team, and they're also not shy about letting Cassie know. Second, there's "the rookie" who's started alongside Cassie. He makes her feel a certain kind of way, and she's not sure what to do with that. Y'all, this one had so much emotion. I was so into Cassie's story. At times, it was a hard read because I was so emotionally invested in Cassie's life - both personal and professional. Also, there were some twists at the end that made it so I literally had to sit down and catch my breath. I mean, y'all, my heart was racing as I was that into this one. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me get a sneak peek of this one that's not due out until August 2019. I'll be sure to remind y'all about this one as the release date approaches because I need others to feel these feels and then discuss said feels with me. Until then, find time to read How To Walk Away if you haven't already.