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Fallout
Journalist Justine Goodman, stifled by new motherhood, surrenders to an obsession with Project Nemesis—an all-women group of eco-anarchists set on dismantling dirty energy companies. She risks everything to gain entry into their inner circle, but tragedy strikes before she can even begin to savor her involvement.
Zoe Rasmussen, wearied by her role as energy magnate Phil Rasmussen's wife, clings unhappily to her situation for her daughter's sake. When grief-stricken Justine, armed and unhinged, appears with a demand, Zoe is torn between terror and excitement. But Justine's actions have unwittingly attracted dangerous forces, and as these women hurtle towards collision, they each face the uphold what's right, or risk shattering their lives.
Zoe Rasmussen, wearied by her role as energy magnate Phil Rasmussen's wife, clings unhappily to her situation for her daughter's sake. When grief-stricken Justine, armed and unhinged, appears with a demand, Zoe is torn between terror and excitement. But Justine's actions have unwittingly attracted dangerous forces, and as these women hurtle towards collision, they each face the uphold what's right, or risk shattering their lives.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2025
12 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Rosenfeld
18 books367 followersJordan Rosenfeld is author of the novels Fallout, Women in Red and Forged in Grace and seven books on the craft of writing, including the brand new Sound of Story: Developing Voice and Tone in Writing, How to Write a Page-Turner, the bestselling Make a Scene, Writing the Intimate Character, A Writer’s Guide to Persistence, Writing Deep Scenes and Write Free. Her freelance writing has been published in hundreds of publications, including: The Atlantic, The New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, Salon, Scientific American, The Rumpus, Writer’s Digest Magazine, The Washington Post and many more. She is also a freelance manuscript editor, writing coach and teaches online classes. Jordanrosenfeld.net. She blogs about midlife, creativity and writing at the Substack "Writing In the Pause."
Jordan holds an MFA in Fiction and Literature from the Bennington Writing Seminars, and a BA from the Hutchins School at Sonoma State University. Her essays and stories have appeared in literary journals such as the Blue Moon Review, Night Train, the Pedastal Magazine, Pindeldyboz, Opium, LitPot, Smokelong Quarterly, Spoiled Ink, the Summerset Review, Void Magazine, Zaum and in literary anthologies. Her fiction has also been performed by actors as part of the Page on Stage project in Santa Rosa.
For three years, Jordan hosted the literary radio program Word by Word: Conversations with Writers, which received an NEA Chairman’s grant for literary projects in 2005, on NPR-affiliate KRCB radio. She interviewed authors such as T.C. Boyle, Aimee Bender, Louise Erdrich, and Mary Gaitskill.
Jordan holds an MFA in Fiction and Literature from the Bennington Writing Seminars, and a BA from the Hutchins School at Sonoma State University. Her essays and stories have appeared in literary journals such as the Blue Moon Review, Night Train, the Pedastal Magazine, Pindeldyboz, Opium, LitPot, Smokelong Quarterly, Spoiled Ink, the Summerset Review, Void Magazine, Zaum and in literary anthologies. Her fiction has also been performed by actors as part of the Page on Stage project in Santa Rosa.
For three years, Jordan hosted the literary radio program Word by Word: Conversations with Writers, which received an NEA Chairman’s grant for literary projects in 2005, on NPR-affiliate KRCB radio. She interviewed authors such as T.C. Boyle, Aimee Bender, Louise Erdrich, and Mary Gaitskill.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 1, 2025
I've never understood people who read a book in one sitting. I'm a slow reader. It usually takes me weeks to finish a novel. This one took me ten hours, but I could not stop until I was done.
It would be such a disservice to simply say that this book is a ‘page turner’. This is one of those rare books that also has deeply felt characters that bring you to tears. All this while exposing the twin evils of our time, the devastation of climate change, and the cruelty of a privileged class that would see the world burn rather than upset their bottom line.
It's told from a revolving point of view from basically three female protagonists. One is a journalist and mother grieving over the loss of her child, the privileged wife of a large fossil fuel company, and her child. All have deep wounds which are revealed without ever slowly down the plot. While it has great appeal to the general public, it's a masterlcass on structure and pacing.
Give it a read. You won’t be disappointed.
It would be such a disservice to simply say that this book is a ‘page turner’. This is one of those rare books that also has deeply felt characters that bring you to tears. All this while exposing the twin evils of our time, the devastation of climate change, and the cruelty of a privileged class that would see the world burn rather than upset their bottom line.
It's told from a revolving point of view from basically three female protagonists. One is a journalist and mother grieving over the loss of her child, the privileged wife of a large fossil fuel company, and her child. All have deep wounds which are revealed without ever slowly down the plot. While it has great appeal to the general public, it's a masterlcass on structure and pacing.
Give it a read. You won’t be disappointed.
January 8, 2025
This story has it all: a universal issue that affects everyone, strong characters, action and great twists. Rosenfeld is not only a fantastic instructor of the craft, but a skilled crafter of stories with heart and heat. A great read.
January 3, 2025
Rosenfeld wrote the popular book, How To Write a Page Turner, so it’s no surprise that when she takes on fiction, it's one hell of a read. I am admittedly not a fast reader, but I tore through Fallout in a matter of days, sneaking in chapters on my lunch break, or while cooking dinner, because I couldn’t put it down. A thrilling read and deeply gratifying to anyone who has wished they could have an impact on the injustices in the world.
January 19, 2025
Could not put this one down! Really liked the different characters and would happily follow them further. Timely topics and situations that will definitely stick with me and lots of interesting twists and revelations.
October 3, 2025
As I read the editorial reviews of FALLOUT, words like "eco-thriller", "burn down the patriarchy," and "propulsion and pathos" pop out. I was swept up in the drama from the first page, a tornado of action propelling me forward as I began seeing through the eyes of the Justine, grieving-mother-turned-firebrand for eco justice. Soon, Zoe—wife of energy magnate Phil Rasmussen, and Hannah—Zoe's college-aged daughter, become unwilling partners in a plan meant to take down the Rasmussen Energy conglomerate.
Kidnapping and sabotage are mixed up with white nationalism and male arrogance as the stakes continue to rise. Rosenfeld brings us closer to the action by allowing multiple points of view to pop up, and her tight-as-a-drum writing left me wanting to find out what happened next at the conclusion of each scene and chapter. In Chapter 13, after Zoe has returned to her estate following the kidnapping, the author put me inside her skin with this description:
"Fatigue comes on like a dentist's x-ray laid heavily atop her chest."
Along with the propulsive action comes insight into what characters have gained and lost while pursuing the goal of bringing down a toxic corporation. Toward the end of the book, Justine regrets turning away from her family and chasing after the lure of an ecoactivist group:
"She followed Nemesis' directions, stumbling through darkened forest, scared and tired and hungry, but also feeling like she was on the cusp of discovery, of something meaningful. Why hadn't she let herself see, then, that raising a child, a person, was meaningful, too? Why had it always seemed like a choice with no winner ... "
I alternated between reading and listening to the marvelous audio version of FALLOUT. Narrator Maria Marquis is a true master, giving life to each line and each character. She drew me in so thoroughly that I gasped aloud while listening at the gym, probably making other gym-goers wonder if I was Okay. I wholeheartedly recommend Jordan Rosenfeld's FALLOUT to readers looking for an action-packed, powerful story with a conscience. It's a winner!
Kidnapping and sabotage are mixed up with white nationalism and male arrogance as the stakes continue to rise. Rosenfeld brings us closer to the action by allowing multiple points of view to pop up, and her tight-as-a-drum writing left me wanting to find out what happened next at the conclusion of each scene and chapter. In Chapter 13, after Zoe has returned to her estate following the kidnapping, the author put me inside her skin with this description:
"Fatigue comes on like a dentist's x-ray laid heavily atop her chest."
Along with the propulsive action comes insight into what characters have gained and lost while pursuing the goal of bringing down a toxic corporation. Toward the end of the book, Justine regrets turning away from her family and chasing after the lure of an ecoactivist group:
"She followed Nemesis' directions, stumbling through darkened forest, scared and tired and hungry, but also feeling like she was on the cusp of discovery, of something meaningful. Why hadn't she let herself see, then, that raising a child, a person, was meaningful, too? Why had it always seemed like a choice with no winner ... "
I alternated between reading and listening to the marvelous audio version of FALLOUT. Narrator Maria Marquis is a true master, giving life to each line and each character. She drew me in so thoroughly that I gasped aloud while listening at the gym, probably making other gym-goers wonder if I was Okay. I wholeheartedly recommend Jordan Rosenfeld's FALLOUT to readers looking for an action-packed, powerful story with a conscience. It's a winner!
April 25, 2025
This is a fast-moving read, and considering the heaviness of the themes of the subjects that come up, it's also deceptively light reading, which I think is what's thrown me off a bit and what keeps this from really being something that will stick with me. On one hand, if the author went into real depth on all of the more depressing subjects that come up here, the book would be impossibly depressing. On the other hand, I would have loved some more depth in a lot of spots rather than feeling like the author was cramming in as many twists and stake-raising moments as possible. In the end, I enjoyed the book, but what was most moving and memorable, and what was given the most depth, were the relationships in the book...and that's fine. I love character-driven work, so it's always characters that make or break a book for me, but I suppose with all of the action and all of the focus on decisions being made in relation to social justice topics, it felt like the actual eco element of the book was just a little light and fast--not at all what I expected, honestly, given the author's work as a journalist, which perhaps led me to have the wrong impression about how much depth talk of the environment would get. I also have to say that, for a book with so many twists and so much action, everything wrapped up a little too fast and easy--too neatly by half--and in some ways, it feels like that also doesn't quite do justice to the heavier conversations that the book brings up.
I'm glad to have discovered the press, and I did enjoy this, but I wish there'd been a bit more depth and that it had just been a bit longer, with more time spent on the eco element of the book rather than adding in more and more topics to be dealt with. I'm undecided on whether or not I'll pick up more of the author's work because this did read fast, but it felt more like women's fiction with lip-service to eco fiction and too many neatly tied bows on things that couldn't believably be wrapped up so easily.
I'm glad to have discovered the press, and I did enjoy this, but I wish there'd been a bit more depth and that it had just been a bit longer, with more time spent on the eco element of the book rather than adding in more and more topics to be dealt with. I'm undecided on whether or not I'll pick up more of the author's work because this did read fast, but it felt more like women's fiction with lip-service to eco fiction and too many neatly tied bows on things that couldn't believably be wrapped up so easily.
July 6, 2025
What an emotionally fulfilling ride: Fallout, a novel by Jordan Rosenfeld.
I’m a huge fan of friendship fiction and this story highlights the complexities of how—even with shared connections—we change and grow.
How does change and individual growth impact how we navigate past and present interpersonal relationships?
Do we honor allegiance to an idealized bond which can cause us to make grave mistakes based on that shared history? Or do we forge forward, clear-eyed, regardless of our allegiance to others whom we may find to be reckless of going too far—including our impulses to want to go further than we’ve ever gone—and keep ourselves and other loved ones out of danger?
Important questions explored. Riveting, visceral prose. Heart-in-throat suspense and emotional resonance. All great hallmarks of this skilled author’s dynamic storytelling.
An evergreen must read, but of timely relevance in this current socio-political terrain, especially regarding the complexities of how our world deals with climate change.
I’m a huge fan of friendship fiction and this story highlights the complexities of how—even with shared connections—we change and grow.
How does change and individual growth impact how we navigate past and present interpersonal relationships?
Do we honor allegiance to an idealized bond which can cause us to make grave mistakes based on that shared history? Or do we forge forward, clear-eyed, regardless of our allegiance to others whom we may find to be reckless of going too far—including our impulses to want to go further than we’ve ever gone—and keep ourselves and other loved ones out of danger?
Important questions explored. Riveting, visceral prose. Heart-in-throat suspense and emotional resonance. All great hallmarks of this skilled author’s dynamic storytelling.
An evergreen must read, but of timely relevance in this current socio-political terrain, especially regarding the complexities of how our world deals with climate change.
July 22, 2025
You don’t want to miss this one!
I had the honor of being an early reader of this novel in its beginning stages, and I'm thrilled to see it available in its grown-up book form! Whichever way you choose to consume it, with eyes or ears, you can't go wrong. I’m especially picky about narrators, but I found Maria Marquis’s narration to be on point and the right choice for characters Zoe and Justine.
The themes of motherhood, sisterhood, grief, family and community are woven through a story that asks what we choose to do with and how we make meaning of our lives despite heartbreak—or because of it. The women in this story are at once the architects of life and the deconstructionists of that which threatens to destroy it.
Buy this book! You won’t be sorry you did!
I had the honor of being an early reader of this novel in its beginning stages, and I'm thrilled to see it available in its grown-up book form! Whichever way you choose to consume it, with eyes or ears, you can't go wrong. I’m especially picky about narrators, but I found Maria Marquis’s narration to be on point and the right choice for characters Zoe and Justine.
The themes of motherhood, sisterhood, grief, family and community are woven through a story that asks what we choose to do with and how we make meaning of our lives despite heartbreak—or because of it. The women in this story are at once the architects of life and the deconstructionists of that which threatens to destroy it.
Buy this book! You won’t be sorry you did!
August 11, 2025
An exciting and fast-paced thriller about two friends, Justine and Zoe, living very different lives, who end up involved with an all-women group of eco-anarchists. Great pacing and character development. Recommend reading. (spoiler) Justine clings to the eco-anarchists, believing in their cause while grieving a personal tragedy. Zoe is conflicted. Not with the group's cause, but its aim directed at her husband's energy empire. Zoe helps Justine realize she is as important as the group's cause, while Justine sets into motion events that will open Zoe's eyes about what is really happening with her husband and his company. Both women must make sacrifices to heal and grow.
October 4, 2025
Fallout is solid. The theme of women coming together through adversity to grow, learn, and achieve a goal is present throughout, and the characters are clear and believable, giving you a real sense of who Justine and Zoe, the main characters, are. They're women who have some clear ideas about who they want to be, but they've struggled with becoming those women. And that's something that everyone can relate to — when we look in the mirror and hope to see the person we want to see, but that person isn't there.
It starts strong, throwing our two main characters together in an unpleasant way. Justine is desperate for many reasons, and these reasons, as well as Zoe's dark and troubled past, are at the heart of this story — two women running away from trauma and toward an unknown that they desperately want but don't know how to attain. Instead, the world itself forces them forward. Justine and Zoe struggle to make their own dreams come true under their own power, but the universe has different plans for them — they end up in harm's way, being forced to move toward their ideal selves: Justine to find a purpose for her life and Zoe to escape her past, as well as her oppressive present.
The novel moves quickly, is easy to follow, and aligns with several themes and issues prevalent in the modern world. There's a solid twist towards the end that you should see coming (not a bad thing); you're just waiting for it to drop. And so is the main character, Zoe, because it's this twist that finally frees her to be the person she's been wanting to be. There's a lot of hurt in this novel, and I feel like it's a story that will connect mostly with women, but that doesn't mean everyone shouldn't read it.
Again, a solid read and an unexpected thriller, even if you've read the back cover and recognize this is a thriller. It's high stakes for the characters, and that's all that matters.
It starts strong, throwing our two main characters together in an unpleasant way. Justine is desperate for many reasons, and these reasons, as well as Zoe's dark and troubled past, are at the heart of this story — two women running away from trauma and toward an unknown that they desperately want but don't know how to attain. Instead, the world itself forces them forward. Justine and Zoe struggle to make their own dreams come true under their own power, but the universe has different plans for them — they end up in harm's way, being forced to move toward their ideal selves: Justine to find a purpose for her life and Zoe to escape her past, as well as her oppressive present.
The novel moves quickly, is easy to follow, and aligns with several themes and issues prevalent in the modern world. There's a solid twist towards the end that you should see coming (not a bad thing); you're just waiting for it to drop. And so is the main character, Zoe, because it's this twist that finally frees her to be the person she's been wanting to be. There's a lot of hurt in this novel, and I feel like it's a story that will connect mostly with women, but that doesn't mean everyone shouldn't read it.
Again, a solid read and an unexpected thriller, even if you've read the back cover and recognize this is a thriller. It's high stakes for the characters, and that's all that matters.
September 4, 2025
This book reads like candy with depth. It’s a riveting story, filled with lots of twists and turns, while also giving the reader a palatable way to look at the things we most avoid: death, grief, women’s pain, the degradation of our natural environment, and the way those most privileged get away with whatever they want, no matter the cost. If you like getting swept up in a good book, this should be your next read.
August 15, 2025
One of my favorite reads this year. I had a hard time putting it down and kept thinking about the characters and story long after I finished. Rosenfeld is a talented writer and her other works are just as fantastic. I definitely recommend this book for anyone feeling fed up and needing a story around taking action and making changes.
April 13, 2025
Finished this in one sitting! Propulsive plot, identifiable and complex female characters and meaningful issues are woven together in an entertaining and enjoyable fashion. Two thumbs up for a great story!
June 17, 2025
A solid story about three women whose lives intersect at the juncture of caring for the environment. The editing could have been better (grammar issues, POV, etc), but overall it's a fast and engaging read.
July 11, 2025
Don’t plan anything for the rest of your day because once you start reading Fallout by Jordan Rosenfeld, you will not dare put it down until the very last page. Full of twists and turns, this engrossing story will have you riveted.
September 9, 2025
So topical and so engaging. Rosenfeld's language is compelling (no wonder, she teaches writing craft), and she is unafraid to tackle subjects as big as climate catastrophe and the harm great wealth can do. And, it's a fundamentally good read. Be ready to plunge in.
August 1, 2025
This eco-thriller grabbed my by the throat and did not let me go. Effective blending of character twists and plot nuances all the way to the end. Highly recommend for thriller fans.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews