Publisher’s Summary
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.
Praise for Things You Save in a Fire
**INDIE NEXT PICK FOR AUGUST**
**AN AUGUST 2019 LIBRARYREADS SELECTION**
**BOOK OF THE MONTH PICK FOR JULY**
**AN AMAZON EDITOR’S PICK FOR AUGUST**
“Center gives readers a sharp and witty exploration of love and forgiveness that is at once insightful, entertaining, and thoroughly addictive.”
— KIRKUS, STARRED REVIEW
“An appealing heroine, a compelling love story, a tearjerking twist, and a thoroughly absorbing story. Another winner from Center.”
— BOOKLIST, STARRED REVIEW
“A spirited, independent heroine meets a smoking-hot fireman in Center’s smart romance… If you enjoyed ‘The Kiss Quotient,’ by Helen Hoang, read Things You Save in a Fire”’
– THE WASHINGTON POST
Novel Activities to Pair with Things You Save in a Fire
Do not call 911 and claim there is a fire! lol. (I know you won’t do that!) There are plenty of other ways to see a firetruck and firefighters up close and personal. Just go to a firehouse! Tours of fire stations are not reserved just for cub scouts, you know. Call up your local fire hall and see if they’ll give you a look around. It’s fun!
If you are lucky, maybe there is a fire museum near you. Those who live in Philadelphia can visit the Fireman’s Hall Museum. It’s housed in an historic firehouse in center city area. (Did you know the very first volunteer fire company was formed in Philly. Yep, Ben Franklin put that together.) The Novel Tourists of Philly book club joined a local author at the Fireman’s Hall Museum. That author wrote a memoir pulled from his journal recordings over 37 years as firefighter. Or, if you feel the ocean breeze calling, take a road trip to Cape May. The Novel Tourist’s of Philadelphia book club also went on a novel adventure to the Cape May Fire Museum. (We like fire museums apparently!) It’s little and adorable. The shiny new modern fire station is in the same parking lot, so feel free to knock on the door and say hello and thank you to today’s firefighter’s. We did!
Not near Philly? That’s okay! The Fire Museum Network put together this fantastic directory of fire museums. Ranging from the spare room in a firehouse basement to magnificent first-class institutions with warehouse-like proportions, there are close to 300 museums which preserve and celebrate the glorious heritage of firefighting in North America.
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If you love pairing great reads with great places to visit, be sure to subscribe to The Novel Tourist newsletter to stay up-to-date with all of the novel activity and travel-inspiring reading suggestions. If you are in the Philadelphia area and want to join me on a novel adventure (maybe to another firehouse!), check out the upcoming events on The Novel Tourist Facebook page or join a Novel Tourists meetup book club near you! There’s one in New York City, Philadelphia, and Sierra Vista, Arizona. Interested in starting a Novel Tourists book club in your town? Contact me!
