Things You Save In A Fire by Katherine Center
Published by St. Martin's Press Genres: Adult FictionPages: 320
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
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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 excellent at dealing with other people's tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to uproot her life and move to Boston, it's an emergency of a kind Cassie never anticipated.
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 handsome rookie, who doesn't seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can't think about that. Because she doesn't fall in love. And because of the advice her old captain gave her: don't date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping...but will she jeopardize her place in a career where she's worked so hard to be taken seriously?
Katherine Center's Things You Save in a Fire is a heartfelt, affecting novel about life, love, and the true meaning of courage.
This book has been hyped up and I’m here to tell you that hype is deserved.
Cassie is a strong female character, carefully navigating the nuances of her new firehouse. She’s the only female on this new crew, after she decides to move across the country to take care of her ailing mother. But Cassie isn’t prepared for the blatant sexism, double standards and outcast status she feels once moving in. It wasn’t like this in her firehouse in Austin.
The Rookie, Owen, joined the same day and he smiles too much. He’s too good natured. He’s not drop dead gorgeous or stupidly handsome. But there’s something about him. But the number rule: Don’t date Firemen.
I love so many things about this book. Cassie’s personality and strength through the whole book is amazing as her character grows and morphs into someone who was so closed off and hurt and traumatized into a stronger fighter and survivor, opening herself up to vulnerability and love. Not just from the Rookie, who she can’t stop thinking about. But open to forgiveness, to her mother who left all those years ago, to herself.
And when the plot thickens and someone is after to sabotage Cassie, her strength is needed more than ever. I love where this book goes and there are so many punches to the gut and lovely warm scenes. It’s so easy to read, I couldn’t put it down. There’s human connection and survival and yes, there is fire. I love the glimpses of being a firefighter, their fears and sorrows and camaraderie. Lots of wonderful insights into these everyday heroes who save lives, saves property, save each other.
I’m going to add every Katherine Center book to my To Read pile now.
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
