Ridge’s deafness doesn’t impede their relationship or their music. She finds out after the fact that Ridge already has a long-distance girlfriend, Maggie-and that he's deaf. The two begin a songwriting partnership that grows into something more once Sydney dumps Hunter and decides to crash with Ridge and his two roommates while she gets back on her feet. While music student Sydney is watching her neighbor Ridge play guitar on his balcony across the courtyard, Ridge is watching Sydney’s boyfriend, Hunter, secretly make out with her best friend on her balcony. Hoover is a master at writing scenes from dual perspectives. Sydney and Ridge make beautiful music together in a love triangle written by Hoover ( Losing Hope, 2013, etc.), with a link to a digital soundtrack by American Idol contestant Griffin Peterson. She's in for the fight of her life.Ĭenter gives readers a sharp and witty exploration of love and forgiveness that is at once insightful, entertaining, and thoroughly addictive. She promised herself long ago that she would never open her heart to romance-or forgive her mother. Most vexing to the hardhearted Cassie is that The Rookie is nothing short of dreamy, with an easy smile and a washboard stomach.

Perhaps the worst blow, though, is that she must compete with Owen “The Rookie” Callaghan, her only true friend, for a spot on the crew. Cassie learns that her job is on the line as the city budget has tightened. Expertly crafting this page-turner, Center ( How to Walk Away, 2018, etc.) creates a character you can’t help rooting for while constantly adding new tension to the story.

Not only does Cassie face an unwelcoming crew, she begrudgingly moves in with her estranged mother, who is dealing with serious health issues and desperately wants to reconnect. In the first of many surprises in this tale of ever ratcheting stakes, Cassie loses her cool and sets off a series of events that land her at an old-school firehouse near Boston where she is the first woman to serve. Ten years later, as the young firefighter is at the top of her game-accepted as one of the boys and receiving a service award-Cassie comes face to face with the high school boy who wreaked havoc on her life. Deciding that love is for the weak, Cassie replaced vulnerability with muscle mass and forged a career in emergency rescue. Hours later, a high school crush deeply violated her trust. But can she rescue herself from the emotional fortress she’s built and forgive those who have hurt her?Ī decade ago, Cassie’s 16th birthday was a one-two punch of heartbreak.

Saving lives is not just a job for Austin firefighter Cassie Hanwell it’s core to who she is.

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center