Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
My first book by the author was How To Walk Away and it blew my mind. The writing was beautiful, enthralling and unputdownable. Shortly after I finished the book, I knew I would be keeping an eye out for this author. Ever since, her books have been highly anticipated, and wonderful escapes into stories that are beautifully written.
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From the New York Times bestselling author of How to Walk Away comes a stunning new novel about family, 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 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.
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
MY THOUGHTS
Overall I was fascinated by how well the author researched the world of firefighters. Her portrayal of Cassie Hanwell, a female firefighter in a male dominated profession was eye opening. What to do, and what not to do as a woman. The hazing. The camaraderie. The cases. But most of all the feel of authenticity and truth.
It’s a sign of a great audiobook if I don’t want to put it down. I did way more laundry than usual, found chores to do, I did literally anything that gave me an excuse to keep on listening. I was laughing, smiling, and just had a great time. Being this transfixed usually means two things: exceptional narration and a fantastic story.
The author has this way of writing incredibly realistic novels. Descriptions, feelings, dialogues – it all feels RIGHT and REAL. I could easily see myself in the heroine. Her doubts, concerns and struggles – they felt relatable, authentic.
| last thoughts |
Overall the book had everything I love in a great contemporary romance novel. A sweet romance, between Cassie and the Rookie, which I adored. The book was full of funny and hilarious scenes, that made me smile and laugh. A really well researched topic, and a heartwarming plot. But most of all excellent writing!
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I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press for free.
My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
I agree with everything you said here — both about this book and How to Walk Away. That latter will always be my favorite, but this one was almost as good.
I love her writing so much, and actually would love for her to write faster 😀
Have you read her new book yet? The one coming out later this year? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Yes, I did. I liked it. Not as much as these two, but it was still really good.
ah, good to hear, because I felt the same…
I always really appreciate it when authors put a lot of research into their novels, I feel like you can always tell, especially when they don’t! ? And it’s always the best when an audiobook is so amazing that you’re scrambling for things to do in order to keep listening ?. I’m definitely not the type that can just sit and listen.
Research makes such a difference, wish more authors would do it. And the goal is always an audiobook that makes you want to listen non-stop. 😀
Love the review! Adding it to my tbr ?
It’s a fantastic book to have on your tbr 😀
LOL! I could really relate to your review! I know I have a good audiobook when I go on a major cleaning spree!
It’s amazing how much a good audiobook wants me to find things to do.
Anything will do 😀
ooh this sounds like an excellent contemporary. Awesome review!
Thank you. It’s a great book, and her books have become auto reads for me, which is great.