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.

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Published Jul 14, 2020

368 pages

Average rating: 7.38

317 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

The.readrose
Jan 28, 2026
6/10 stars
3.5 Stars

RTC
thenextgoodbook
Sep 04, 2025
6/10 stars
thenextgoodbook.com

What’s it about?

When Cassie Hanwell is transferred from an Austin, Texas fire station to a small fire station in Massachusetts, to be near her ailing mother, she is not happy about it. And neither are all the firemen in her new old-school station. What she leasts expects is to find herself falling for someone. She never falls for anyone…

What did it make me think about?

Firefighters and how much we owe them for their service.

Should I read it?

So sometimes after a long serious book I like to pick up something light. This has been on my shelf for a few years. It was a Book of the Month favorite but I never seemed to get around to it. But it looked like it would be light and quick and it was. Okay- so this was a just a feel-good, hokey romance novel, but I did enjoy it. It was just like eating comfort food. You know it is going to be predictable and you also know you are going to enjoy every bite (or in this case every page)!

Quote-

“Firefighters are, on average, very funny people. All the sorrow you absorb in that job makes you funnier. You have to balance out the pain somehow, and joking around is one of the best things about the job. There’s so much death in that world, but laughter is life.”
K Olson
Jan 14, 2025
8/10 stars
I generally don’t read romance novels and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. In addition to a sweet romance this novel explores themes of forgiveness and learning to find joy in the moment. I thought the descriptions of what it’s like to be the only female firefighter quite realistic. Would make a very interesting discussion for a book club.
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.
Mary Pat Holt
Feb 05, 2026
4/10 stars
I'll start with the positives. It's a super fast read. Negatives? A bit cheesy and so predictable. Tough girl Cassie is a firefighter in Austin, TX when she gets a call from her estranged mother in Boston. Her mom needs a favor after abandoning her and her dad 10 years ago. Reluctantly she goes and begins work at a new firehouse in Boston while she slowly learns about forgiveness from her mom.

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