Things You Save in a Fire

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.

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.

Katherine Center says that she writes about "the ways we all get tangled up -- and what we do about it." She has followed up her 2018 bestseller, How to Walk Away, with Things We Save in a Fire. And the story is exactly what you might expect. It is about the myriad ways in which Cassie Hanwell has gotten tangled up -- and what she does about it.

Twenty-six-year-old Cassie Hanwell loves being a firefighter, even though it's a career she stumbled into through circumstances and opportunity. She is completely devoted to her career and has excelled in her profession. While other people panic and run, wild-eyes, from an emergency situation, Cassie remains calm and springs into action, at very best when things are at their very worst.

Perhaps that's because Cassie suffered two life-changing events on her sixteenth birthday, both of which affected her deeply and informed the trajectory of her life to date. She shut down emotionally, and focused solely on her career. She hasn't even been on a date since that night.

As the story opens, she is about to receive a prestigious award for bravery in the line of duty which she believes will be presented to her by the Mayor of Austin. Instead, she is horrified when she realizes -- at the award ceremony -- that she will have to accept the award from one of the people who subjected her to a life-altering trauma all those years ago. Her reaction is visceral and swift -- as is her employer's.

However, her mother, Diana, from whom she has been estranged since that impactful night so many years ago, calls and asks her to come live with her in Massachusetts.

And so Cassie transfers to a small firehouse that has never before employed a woman. In the wake of the MeToo movement, one might think that the days of a Captain calling his staff together by announcing over the public address system that there is a stripper in the firehouse kitchen are over. Or that the firefighters would not need to relocate their stash of porn in order to make a place for the new female firefighter to sleep. But apparently not. When Cassie and the rookie -- charming, handsome and fit Owen Callaghan -- report for duty on the same day, they are both subjected to hazing and practical jokes. But Cassie's male counterparts insist upon treating her like a "lady." She reacts by challenging the stereotypes to which they subscribe, as well as their pride by proving that she is strong, competitive, knowledgeable, and able to serve as their equal.

Center's dialogue is fresh, witty, believable, and often hilarious. She surrounds Cassie with an eclectic and believable group of supporting characters, all of whom she brings to life her reader's mind because of her colorful descriptions of them and their interactions with Cassie. Predictably, Cassie's defenses are worn down as her attraction to the rookie grows stronger, and she gets reacquainted with and better understands her mother's motivations, choices, and vulnerability. Even so, Cassie does not settle easily into her new circumstances, and remains resolved not to walk away, even while an unidentified stalker's actions grow increasingly dangerous and she is wrongly accused of misconduct.

Things You Save in a Fire is dedicated to Center's husband, Gordon, a volunteer firefighter who clearly provided sound advice because the story is absolutely believable and rings true, even while it is disarmingly charming.

Center delivers an emotional punch through the challenges Cassie faces and her realizations about how destructive it is to refuse to experience and deal with one's emotions. Center skillfully and empathetically illustrates the numerous ways and reasons why the structure of Cassie's life changes, how she reacts and copes, and her resultant growth. At a critical juncture in her journey to adulthood, Cassie was abandoned -- physically and emotionally -- and had to rescue herself. Ten years later, she has to learn to forgive and make decisions about her future -- and whether it will include love and the willingness to be vulnerable again.

Things You Save in a Fire is simultaneously entertaining, deeply thought-provoking, and emotionally satisfying -- an engrossing look at endearing characters who deserve the happy ending Center gives them.

Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.

A relatively easy read. I didn’t know what to expect going into this & I felt the story shifted a few times on the way through. It touches on a few different topics; sexual assault, death, forgiveness & sexism. While these topics are all heavy, the book overall was a pretty light read. I felt some of the themes needed a bit more development in their storylines - but overall enjoyed the read!

I really really enjoyed this book. It was such a delight and brought joy into my reading life! The banter was witty and the main character is lovable and so down to earth. I loved this book and it brought me so much happiness. I just didn’t want to put it down, but had to because we’ll work got in the way!