Book Review - Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

Photo Credit - Amazon

Cassie Hanwell strives under pressure, especially during emergencies. As she is one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she has dealt with a fair share of them. She can handle other people's tragedies but, any of her own. When Cassie's ailing and estranged mother asks her to move to Boston to help take care of her, Cassie is suddenly thrown into an emergency of her own. 

Cassie finds a new job at an old-school Boston firehouse that is completely different from her old job. The new firehouse lacks proper facilities, equipment, funding, and the crew regularly hazes each other. None of the firemen on staff is happy that their captain hired a lady to be on their shift, even if Cassie comes highly recommended.  

The only person that doesn't mind having Cassie around is the handsome rookie, Owen. Cassie feels drawn to him but, she knows firemen can't date each other and she doesn't believe love is her thing.  However, the more Cassie learns about the rookie, the more she feels her resolve to stay away from him slipping away. Will Cassie open up herself to love even if it means losing the only job she ever loved?

I have read the author's other book, How to Walk Away and enjoyed it. I was excited to read this book as the previous novel was an emotionally captivating book. While, this book delivers a powerful message about forgiveness, love, courage, and vulnerability, I didn't find myself feeling much for the characters. I didn't feel invested in Cassie and had a hard time relating to her. I felt like the story was missing an emotional connection for me like the previous book had. It is a good book if you are a fan of the author but, to me it felt like a giant fluff piece.

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Book Review - How to Walk Away: A Novel by Katherine Center

Photo Credit - Amazon

Margaret Jacobsen has always been afraid of flying but when her dreamy pilot to be boyfriend promises to take her on a trip she won't ever forget; she hesitantly agrees. Margaret has the picture perfect life with a dreamy boyfriend who proposed to her during their flight and her dream job lined up. However, everything she worked so hard for is in jeopardy when an unfortunate accident occurs.

While in the hospital trying to recover, Maggie must come to terms that her life will never be the same as it once was. Her fiancé, Chip is reluctant to visit but he wants Maggie to forgive him without putting in the effort. And then her older estranged sister, Kit who disappeared from Maggie's life for three years.  When Maggie only wants to wallow in self-pity, she paired with a tough as nails physical therapist, Ian who refuses to let her give anything else than 100% during her therapy. Is Ian the thing that Maggie needs the most but refuses to acknowledge? Why did Kit and Maggie have a fallout? Can someone love when they are at their most vulnerable?

The novel was an interesting and delicious read about perseverance, happiness, and tough love. Each of the book's characters were well-developed and multi-dimensional while continuously grow. I found that Maggie was an inspiration point that she didn't help her accident define who she is along with being the bigger person and understanding that everyone had faults. There were parts of the novel, I was shaking my head and yelling that Maggie could do better but I still find this novel enjoyable. A great read for an upcoming beach day!