Things You Save in a Fire

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.

BUY THE BOOK

Published Jul 14, 2020

368 pages

Average rating: 7.37

252 RATINGS

|

These clubs recently read this book...

Community Reviews

LTC
Nov 20, 2024
Book #56: Karen nominated this book. I have an email that we rescheduled it, but not the new date. The meeting took place via Zoom. Confirm date with group, photo of note.
abookwanderer
Oct 09, 2025
10/10 stars
I was provided an advance copy of this novel from the publisher, St. Martin's Press.

Katherine Center is one of my new favorite authors! While I'm a hopeless romantic, I'm also pretty cynical. I don't like romances that are overly cheesy or too unrealistic. And Center's books have all the ingredients to potentially leave me cringing or rolling my eyes, but I never do. Things You Save in a Fire is sweet and pure and unputdownable! Owen may have moved up into my top five favorite male leads. I stayed up reading into the wee hours of the morning to finish this one. I smiled. I cried. I swooned. Five glowing stars from me!
hideTurtle
Aug 19, 2025
7/10 stars
This was adorable.
Michalmarie123
Jul 19, 2025
Jill Melissa Becca
brittshank91
Mar 25, 2024
8/10 stars
Predictable, but cute. It tells a story that reminds the reader that a person’s story is more than just what you see on the outside.

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.