Centre, Katherine-- Things You Save In a Fire informal buddy read starts August 23, 2019

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This thread is open to discuss Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center.



Synopsis
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

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[Laura]

Looking forward to reading this one

[Olivia (jonesingforbooks)]

I’m starting after my last class today at 5:30!!! Can’t wait!

[Laura]

Olivia wrote: "I’m starting after my last class today at 5:30!!! Can’t wait!"

I read a little last night and forget how far I read ( a chapter? two? ) I don't want to give anything away so I 'll come back to comment because what I read so far was so worth commenting on!

[Olivia (jonesingforbooks)]

I finished chapter 1 and I won't comment on the part of chapter 2. But wow, I am loving the narrator.

This prank these guys pulled was not great, especially for this day and age. And I have to keep reading to figure out who Heath Thompson is...

[Laura]

I'm reading the hardcover version. I 've only listened to a couple of audios.. I find it difficult to pay attention to someone reading to me.

The prank was horrible. When you think about it Center isn't painting our male counterparts in a very positive light in these first two chapters. I 'm so glad that Cassie stuck up for herself although perhaps maybe not in the most appropriate way given her function. I don't think what we are going to learn about *good ole* Heath is going to be very good.
Looking forward to reading more.

[Laura]

I've finished chapter 5 and I really want to know what he did to her that she is giving up a promotion by not apologizing.
Has to be bad.. rape? Might explain why she isn't into relationships.

I know we don't know the past situation yet but would you have passed up the promotion?

[Olivia (jonesingforbooks)]

I just finished Chapter 4.

I think it has to be rape because of the line: "She knew in that way that other women just knew."

I think I would have. Seeing how traumatized she was to get even close to him I think she made the right decision.

[Laura]

I've finished chapter 10. I'll wait for you to catch up

[Olivia (jonesingforbooks)]

I just finished chapter 8, but wanted to talk.

Why on earth did her mother leave her on her birthday??
I do like her character though and when she said that Cassie had just challenged the universe I was thinking the same thing and then boom the rookie appears.

[Laura]

I can't imagine any time being good for a parent to leave but on her birthday seems a bit more cruel. I like that her dad tries to give her advice to accept, forgive and move on. I think there is more there that we don't know about but I guess since he has a new partner it was easier for him to move on
I don't think Diana realizes how much her leaving has impacted Cassie. Or maybe she does and now she is trying to make amends.

[Laura]

I'm liking the story so far. How about you?

[Olivia (jonesingforbooks)]

I just finished chapter 13 now.

****************************************************

I now understand why she had to leave that day, but not explaining it to either of them was not an okay thing to do. Yes, it may have hurt more, but not knowing was definitely worse in the long-term. Her speech about forgiveness was really good and I'm looking forward to her hopefully working through this and finally being able to open up about what happened with Heath Thompson.

Also really enjoying the book. Her showing that she belongs at the firehouse by one-upping the men is amazing. From her one-handed pull-ups to her shooting hoops. And even pranking the rookie.

[Laura]

I finished chapter 15 last night. I'm not far ahead. I'm surprised that so far except for the sexist remarks and thinking her crew have been accepting of her.
We know that Cassie is good at her job but I'm also curious as to why the chief has her training the Rookie if he thinks she can't do anything
I like the relationship that is blooming between her and the Rookie.
I m going to finish this book tonight as I need it for a challenge I'm participating in. Don't feel you have to keep up if you don't want to. I'll use spoilers from here on out.

[Olivia (jonesingforbooks)]

I actually finished the book last night (also needed for a challenge and kinda got swept up in it...). So feel free to post every chapter and I’ll flip through to make sure I’m not spoiling anything.

I think the captain begrudgingly knows the Cassie knows her stuff which is why he lets her train up the rookie. He might not like the fact that she’s there but I don’t think anyone can say she doesn’t know her job.

I like how Cassie and the rookie keep getting thrown together whether they want to or not and she couldn’t bring herself to turn down his invitation to the party.

[Laura]

Middle of chapter 21
Someone threw a rock at her mom's window. I 'm happy that Cassie is finally sticking up for herself but my heart breaks for her that she thinks she has to prove herself to the guys all the time. I haven't figured out who threw the rock.

I' m a little surprised that it took halfway through the book before the insults and threats started.

Did you like the book Olivia? It was definitely hard to stop and not read this one all at once. I loved how Katherine Center sucked us into this book and you just wanted to know how it ended.

I think the captain has a tough choice to make. It seems Owen would be happier cooking rather than fire fighting

[Laura]

Finished!
I figured out DeStasio was the stalker when he wanted to go in the burning building after being given orders not to.

I like how Center pulled this all together. She definitely weaves a good story.

Some of my favorite parts: Cassie confronting DeStasio ;saving him and helping her mother.

[Laura]

I also have this book by Center... .
Would you like to buddy read it?

edit--- well darn, seems I 've already read it!

[Olivia (jonesingforbooks)]

DeStasio was a great villain in the sense that we hated him, but there is a reasoning behind his actions, however, cruel and awful they were. A 3-dimensional villain is always better to read than a 1-dimensional one. I'm not sure I could have forgiven him as Cassie said she did (but also said she didn't really feel it until she heard herself say it).

This is one of my favorite novels I've read this year for sure. But I didn't like how ~easy~ the ending was... Like how Owen just woke up and proposed when they've been on maybe two dates. But I'm also a sucker for a happy ending so I can't really complain.

Thoughts on the ending?

[Laura]

I also liked that DeStasio was a 3 - dimensional villian rather than 1 - dimensional.

Agree with the ending... it was pretty much insta love. It didn't need the proposal though I 'm like you I do like my HEA.

Thanks so much for reading this one with me!

[Vicki]

Laura wrote: "I also have this book by Center....
Would you like to buddy read it?

edit--- well darn, seems I 've already read it!"

LOL That's so funny, but what I hate is when I buy a book (ebook) and then realize I already have the physical copy. LOL

I just borrowed that book from the library so I was excited to see your post and then calmed down when I read your edit. LOL

[Vicki]

Chapters 1-8

I am loving this one so far!

Cassie (view spoiler)[ could slam Captain Murphy with a law suit for sexual harassment for saying to the whole firehouse, "There's a stripper at the kitchen table." Not cool! I can't believe all the "RULES" she was given, what a joke!

The relationship between Cassie and her mother is certainly strained. I hope that during the course of the story that they somehow make up and Cassie forgives her for leaving when she was only 16. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 9-24

Cassie (view spoiler)[I can't believe all the crap she's had to go through to "prove herself" as a fireman. I'm glad that she finally shared what happened to her so that he can understand her better. (hide spoiler)]

Diana (view spoiler)[I knew/was afraid that something like this would happen. The scene where Cassie climbed in bed with her mom...*crying* OMG! I could't help think of my own mother, but when we died there was no warning whatsoever! No goodbyes. :( But that was a tear-jerker scene. I am glad their story at least will end in forgiveness! (hide spoiler)]

Owen/Rookie (view spoiler)[I felt so bad for him to know that he's carried that guilt since he was only 8 years old!!! That's a horrible guilt to have to live with! I like him and I'm glad that he and Cassie have built a good relationship. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24 (view spoiler)[I pray that this fire won't be the irony of what happened to his uncle! I'm almost afraid to read what happens next! (hide spoiler)]

Finished

OMG! (view spoiler)[I can't believe that Destasio lied about everything that happened in the fire! Putting all the fault on Cassie when it was him who did all those things. But I'm so glad that he finally did the right thing and confessed and recanted his false report. (hide spoiler)]

I loved that the (view spoiler)[firemen all went to Diana's house and "apologized" and were working on her house. (hide spoiler)]

Cassie (view spoiler)[is a strong woman who is a survivor! I kind of wish she'd gotten her own personal revenge and that Heath was behind bars because of her, BUT I doubt he'd have served as much time as he is now. And I love that his life has fallen apart. (hide spoiler)]

Owen (view spoiler)[is so lucky to be alive! He's a really good guy and I'm glad it worked out for him and Cassie. For a minute there I wasn't sure I'd get that HEA, but it was almost 100% HEA. (hide spoiler)]

I think the author made it clear that this book is about (view spoiler)[FORGIVENESS! I Loved this one quote from the book: It's not the easy moments that define who we are. It's the hard ones." That's so true!! It's easy to be kind, friendly, compassionate, etc. when things are going well, but when things are going awry in our lives, that's when our true character comes out. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Great quote! Good points
seems like you enjoyed the book as much as we did!

[Olivia (jonesingforbooks)]

I liked seeing all your thoughts throughout the book it definitely mirrored ours! And I know I love a HEA and I've been reading too many books without them so it was a nice little break!