- What did you think about the beginning when Cassie is being honored as the first female firefighter to win the Austin Fire Department’s Valor Award?
- Cassie is horrified that Heath Thompson is the one who will present her with the award. Did you suspect that Heath was a predator from the start or were you confused at what was happening? Would you have knocked him out if you were Cassie?
- We learn that Cassie is closed off due to two traumatic events that happened at 16. One was Heath’s assault of her, which we find out the entire horrible story at the end, and the other was her mother leaving the family for another man. Let’s discuss Cassie’s wall she establishes between herself and the rest of the world. How did Cassie change from the beginning of the story to the end?
- Cassie eventually leaves Texas for Boston to get away from backlash of what happened at the banquet and to also help her mother. But Cassie is quite standoffish with her and doesn’t want to establish a relationship again. Did you agree with how Cassie felt? Why or why not?
- How did the Boston firehouse compare to the one back in Texas? What did you think about the rest of the firefighters in Boston?
- Both Cassie and the rookie Owen are the newbies and so they’re thrown together for pranks and also learning the ins and outs of this particular firehouse. Did you know right away that Owen and Cassie would have a romance? When do you think Cassie finally admitted she had feelings for him? Did you like the romance?
- What did you think about the scenes dedicated to life as a firefighter? Why do you think Cassie chose this profession?
- Cassie starts to get harassed—someone writes “slut” in her locker room, slashes her tires and throws a rock through her mom’s house. Did you suspect DeStasio? What did you think about that character and the confrontation at the end between him and Cassie?
- Cassie learns the power of forgiveness and letting go—she forgives her mother for leaving her and she finally moves forward after dealing with the trauma of Heath’s horrible assault. Let’s discuss Cassie’s self-journey.
- What did you think about the ending and the epilogue?
- What’s the meaning of the title in relation to the story?
- If this was made into a TV series or movie, who would you cast for the main roles?
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
More discussion at bookclubchat.com. These questions contain major spoilers.