Things You Save in a Fire - Katherine Center

Things You Save in a Fire

By Katherine Center

  • Release Date: 2019-08-13
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
4.5 Score: 4.5 (From 718 Ratings)

Book Synopsis

**INDIE NEXT PICK FOR AUGUST**

**AN AUGUST 2019 LIBRARYREADS SELECTION**

**BOOK OF THE MONTH PICK FOR JULY**

**AN AMAZON EDITOR’S PICK FOR AUGUST**

“Center gives readers a sharp and witty exploration of love and forgiveness that is at once insightful, entertaining, and thoroughly addictive.”
KIRKUS, STARRED REVIEW

“An appealing heroine, a compelling love story, a tearjerking twist, and a thoroughly absorbing story. Another winner from Center.”
BOOKLIST, STARRED REVIEW

A spirited, independent heroine meets a smoking-hot fireman in Center’s smart romance… If you enjoyed ‘The Kiss Quotient,’ by Helen Hoang, read Things You Save in a Fire”’
THE WASHINGTON POST

From the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel about courage, hope, and learning to love against all odds.


Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she's seen her fair share of them, and she's a total pro at other people's tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to give up her whole life and move to Boston, Cassie suddenly has an emergency of her own.

The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie's old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren't exactly thrilled to have a "lady" on the crew—even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the infatuation-inspiring rookie, who doesn't seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can't think about that. Because love is girly, and it’s not her thing. And don’t forget the advice her old captain gave her: Never date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping...and it means risking it all—the only job she’s ever loved, and the hero she’s worked like hell to become.

Katherine Center's Things You Save in a Fire is a heartfelt and healing tour-de-force about the strength of vulnerability, the nourishing magic of forgiveness, and the life-changing power of defining courage, at last, for yourself.

Tags in Fiction & Literature : Things You Save in a Fire Katherine Center ebook , Things You Save in a Fire Katherine Center epub , Things You Save in a Fire Katherine Center AUDIOBOOK , Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center ePub (.epub) , Things You Save in a Fire book review , Fiction & Literature

Latest Impressions

  • Wonderful Entertaining Read

    5
    By scarlettph1
    It was light enough to make you laugh, it was just the right amount of suspense to keep you wondering. From cover to cover, I really enjoyed this book!
  • Things you save in a fire.

    5
    By tlwgd
    Hard to put down. Characters keep you involved like people you would like to know.
  • Thing You Save in a Fire is awesome!

    5
    By Bowhead45
    I love Katherine Center’s books and this one did not disappoint. Forgiveness is a main theme and I learned a lot about fire fighters.
  • Couldn’t stop reading this one

    5
    By QualityChic71
    Total page turner filled with great lessons about life for people of all ages!
  • Another phenomenal story by Center who delivers EVERY TIME

    5
    By kaykaybean13
    Cassie has been a firefighter for 4 years. After surviving being abandoned by her mother on the eve of her 16th birthday, being raised by her father who was a basketball coach and did his best to raise and love her, she lacked the ability And the comfort of affectionate gestures, hugs, deep emotional conversations and after a horrific assault at 16 she had never been close to another male in the decade that had passed. Her career was her passion it was blossoming into everything she’d worked so hard for and after acing the Lieutenant-test, being awarded a valor award the youngest ever and first female, she was rising the ranks professionally until her assailant was the one to be handing her the award after the mayor had been called to an emergency unable to attend and place of awarding her the plaque. Her attacker, now a city councilman has grabbed her ass while shaking her hand and she violently and impulsively beat him to unconsciousness in front of 300 esteemed peers and authorities. She wasn’t promoted as lieutenant and was given the ultimatum apologize or be fired. She chose another option- to be relocated to the town over from her mothers house in Massachusetts after her mom called asking if she’d please go there to look after her as she was sick and needed assistance She finds love in the worst place possible in her opinion yet is unable to fight off the emotions. She’s disliked immensely by her co workers and is soon being harassed badly by one of them who remains anonymous but slashed tires etc After a brutal fire she almost loses everything she’s found to be precious with her moms help at finding forgiveness and opening herself to vulnerability and intimacy but she chooses to be compassionate and empathetic to the one person responsible for her predicament and soon to be hopeless future. This is a story about a woman who suffered great losses, lived through a horrific attack never sharing it with anyone, someone who’d put all her passion and heart into her career and a life of volunteering and service to her community never realizing she hadn’t given herself the same compassion or acknowledgement that she was worthy of love kindness and empathy. Taking her mother’s advice she begins to see that the way through intentionally being hurt by another is by being empathetic compassionate and kind. Her life soon rewards her for the beautiful choices and new perspectives on love, self worth and vulnerability
  • Stunning

    5
    By Kuriosity982
    Stunningly beautiful book. The underlying thread in this book about healing, forgiveness, happiness, and love is something rare and beautiful; even when it comes to reading. Such an uplifting story, on so many levels.
  • A must read!

    5
    By Palma Chris
    Things You Save In a Fire is my first book by Katherine Center and will not be my last! This book brought all the feels. I laughed, cried, raged, hurt and cheered for Cassie as she showed her new fire crew exactly what having a woman in the fire house means. She’s a strong woman who learned that emotions and love don’t make you weak, but can truly make you stronger. Cassie’s journey to forgive (herself and others) is one that many can relate to and will enjoy reading about. Add in some hot firefighters and this book is a 5 star read! Thanks to SMP for the ARC! This has no bearing on my honest opinion.
  • When your past & future collide

    4
    By kimbnaz
    Cassie is a 20-something firefighter in Austin, Texas. She has climbed the ranks with her fearless, yet level-headed approach to being a firefighter. Originally destined for medical school, she first became and EMT and then moved on to being a paramedic when she realized how much this suited her personality. She’s tiny but powerful. And her mannerisms make her a perfect fit for the firehouse. When presented with an award from the city for a heroic effort, she is face to face with someone from her past. Her reaction changes the course of her life. Cassie is confronted with things that she can’t treat the same way she could in the past. What was once easy is now hard. Cassie is forced to learn many lessons about herself and forgiveness along the way. I didn’t quite know how to categorize this book as I read it. At times it felt like a romance novel, but then it would detour off into contemporary fiction or suspense. It is a book that can’t be simply classified into one genre or another. It is about family and love and life and the wrenches that are often thrown our way just when we think we have it all figured out. It was a great read. I didn’t expect to love it the way I did, or to quite fall in love with Cassie the way I did. Katherine Center made Cassie real not so much with her bravery, but with her more fallible characteristics. In fact, there is a lot of human frailty in this book. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend.
  • Healing and Forgiveness 💙

    5
    By Bookbruin
    This was such a beautiful story of forgiveness and healing. Katherine Center truly has a gift for transporting the reader into the story and getting you invested in the characters. I felt so many emotions while reading this book. Some moments were exhilarating, while others were sweet and tender. There were also painful and gut wrenching scenes that left me holding my heart. Cassie was a fantastic heroine. I loved her drive, tenacity, and confidence. Her struggles to overcome the stigma and prejudices of being a female firefighter only made me root harder for her. Events in her past (that may be a trigger for some) hardened her heart, but I loved how she slowly opened up and began to live again. Her journey to let go of all the anger and forgiving others (and herself) was so powerful. I appreciated that the romantic relationship in the story was just as important as the friendships and familial relationships. Every part was vital in Cassie's journey. The rookie pretty much left me with a goofy grin on my face every time he was on the page. (The Poo-huahua!!!) I loved his friendship with Cassie and how they each trusted and healed each other. Their chemistry and connection jumped off the page and built up so beautifully and naturally. The supporting cast of characters were also a treat and all of the fire station pranks added some wonderful lighthearted moments. My favorite was probably the ladder and rooftop ;) I also loved getting a glimpse into the inner workings and dynamics of being a firefighter. I thought the more serious moments were balanced so well with the sweet and silly ones. It made this book unputdownable to me. The epilogue had me smiling ear to ear (even the bittersweet parts) and I cannot wait to read more from Katherine Center! *Note: There is a bridge novella called The Girl in the Plane that ties this book to How to Walk Away. It is Cassie's POV of the events that open How to Walk Away. Both books can be read as standalones. *I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*