The Endicott Women's Book Group meet at the Endicott Branch Library - 257 Mount Vernon Street in Dedham, MA at 6:30 PM on the first Tuesday Evening of each month between September and June. Copies of each book will be available no earlier than one month before meeting.
Each section on this page details the book we will be discussing that month, and gives possible discussion questions to guide your reading. Please feel free to reach out to Lisa at ldesmond@minlib.net with any questions or concerns.
Book Description:
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.
Possible Discussion Questions:
Questions by Heather Caliendo from Book Club Chat
1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. How did the Boston firehouse compare to the one back in Texas? What did you think about the rest of the firefighters in Boston?
5. 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?
6. What did you think about the scenes dedicated to life as a firefighter? Why do you think Cassie chose this profession?
7. 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?
