Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This was a multi-layered story set in Los Alamos during the creation of the atomic bomb. I loved how in depth every character was written, and how relatable they all were in some way! I particulary loved Christine’s story line and her character development. This truly was a tale of love, secrecy, human morality, and more. At times, the story felt a bit repetitive or as if it were dragging, and I do wish the atomic bomb and it’s psychological after-effects (guilt) on the people involved in its creation was discussed, but overall, I really enjoyed this book!

This was an amazing debut! The story was full of fantastic characters and a rich historical background. The author rightfully focused on her characters and spent a great deal of time making sure everything was detailed. The main character, Christine, was so wonderfully thought out and described through Vromen's words. Overall, this book was a pleasure to read and experience.


Thank you NetGalley!

This was a stunning debut, full of rich characters and an incredibly interesting time in history. I really enjoyed how Vromen focused on the community of characters and dedicated time to flesh out every aspect. Christine is a wonderfully complex main character, who is thrown into this life she didn’t choose because of her husband’s career as a scientist. It’s very clear that the novel follows the development of the atomic bomb, but the focus is on the characters instead. It felt claustrophobic to read, as I’m sure the characters felt stuck in this microcosm of society, and in turn as the real scientists and their families must have felt.

Weaving together multiple perspectives, Vromen builds a world that is so well developed, every single character felt real and raw. I particularly enjoyed Jimmy’s story and his struggles with his own identity and the consequences of his actions later on. All the other co-characters, Gertie, Kurt and Sarah, are brilliant additions that really round this story out. A gripping novel about secrecy, love and war.

This was a great book. The setting was perfectly done and i could not put this book down. The plot was very well done with a hint of romance. I love this book.