Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak

by Leslie R. Schover

For fans of Ariel Lawhon and Rhys Bowen, an  Oppenheimer –meets– The Rose Code  World War II novel of a young mother’s self-discovery as she is drawn into a love triangle with an atomic spy in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project.

When nineteen-year-old Doris Friedman marries Rob in 1941 and has a sickly, premature baby, she trades in her dreams of being a concert pianist or a lawyer to become the ideal wife and mother. Within months, Rob is recruited to work on the Manhattan Project, and the young family moves to Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Just like fission splits an atom’s nucleus, Doris’s marriage threatens to break her heart in two as she is left struggling to nurture her daughter while Rob works around the clock. In an effort to find connection, Doris befriends Betty, a Southern debutante. Even though they come from different backgrounds, the two women sustain each other through difficult Betty’s miscarriage, Rob’s radiation exposure, and his subsequent attempt to enlist to fight at the front.

Despite her attempts to make life in Oak Ridge work, Doris falls for an army engineer—only to realize that he may be a Soviet spy. Should she turn him in and risk losing her marriage? As the end of the war nears, Doris must decide what’s most important—and what she’s willing to lose.

Genres: Historical Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Teri M Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fission by Leslie R Schover is a wonderful historical fiction. Although set during WWII, this book takes place completely within the United States as we follow Doris and her husband Rob to Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Doris' husband is tapped to work on the Manhattan Project, a top-secret program to create the first atomic bomb.

As a reluctant young mother and bride, Doris first has to decide if she will move to Oak Ridge or continue her education. When she finally moves to Oak Ridge, she has to figure out her place in a world very different from Chicago. Will being Jewish be something to overcome? Will her husband's lack of education stop him from advancing? Will Doris figure out her role as wife and mother? What will she do when romance comes knocking - and not from her husband?

I was excited to learn this story is based loosely on Leslie's parents, which gives an emotional edge to the characters - and you know how I love a good character! This is a must-read book that will give you an insider's look at The Manhattan Project and how it affected not just the scientists, but all who lived and worked in Oak Ridge.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
📕 enjoy historical fiction
🎞️ loved the movie Oppenheimer
💍 can relate to a marriage that is falling apart
🥱 grow bored easily

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

When nineteen-year-old Doris Friedman marries Rob in 1941 and has a sickly, premature baby, she trades in her dreams of being a concert pianist or a lawyer to become the ideal wife and mother. Within months, Rob is recruited to work on the Manhattan Project, and the young family moves to Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Just like fission splits an atom’s nucleus, Doris’s marriage threatens to break her heart in two as she is left struggling to nurture her daughter while Rob works around the clock. In an effort to find connection, Doris befriends Betty, a Southern debutante. Even though they come from different backgrounds, the two women sustain each other through difficult moments: Betty’s miscarriage, Rob’s radiation exposure, and his subsequent attempt to enlist to fight at the front.

Despite her attempts to make life in Oak Ridge work, Doris falls for an army engineer—only to realize that he may be a Soviet spy. Should she turn him in and risk losing her marriage? As the end of the war nears, Doris must decide what’s most important—and what she’s willing to lose.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was an interesting read that reminded me a lot of the movie Oppenheimer because it essentially revolves around the same time and place. I liked reading about Doris becoming a mother and how she was losing her sense of self. I felt like I could relate to her well, since I have 3 kids and have felt that way after each of them. It takes a long time to get back to feeling like your own person again. While some of the story wasn’t quite believable (low level employees having clearance to high level information) I felt like that was okay. The story is more about Doris and her relationships while living in this new place, trying to adjust to her new life. I appreciate that this was based on true stories too! Definitely recommend for fans of historical fiction!

[ecastell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fission had all the elements of an engaging story—historical reference, romance, relationship drama, intrigue, even a bit of spice—yet it ultimately missed the mark for me. I found the characters to be vapid, and the drama underdeveloped.

The story follows Doris, a young Jewish girl growing up in Chicago in the 1930s. There, she meets and falls in love with Rob, an intelligent yet underachieving electrician. Shortly after their marriage, Doris gives birth prematurely and suffers from postpartum depression and deep feelings of inadequacy, mourning the future she had once envisioned for herself.

Around this time, Rob is recruited to work on the Manhattan Project, and the young family is relocated to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where engineers worked frantically to produce the enriched uranium required for an atomic bomb. I struggled with the implausibility of how or why Rob was selected to work alongside highly educated chemists and engineers, as well as the decision of his supervisor to reveal the mission’s secrets to two people barely out of their teens.

The novel focuses heavily on interpersonal relationships while delivering little insight into the significance or gravity of the Manhattan Project itself. We learn of long work hours, a minor radiation exposure, and ample social drama, but the reader is left to fill in the historical gaps with commonly known facts about this world-altering achievement.

Fans of Oppenheimer will likely be disappointed. Those looking for a light, relationship-driven historical novel may find it an easy, if unremarkable, read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lainey Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

We know the United States developed the atomic bomb in the 1940s during World War II and ultimately dropped it on Hiroshima. But what was life like for those who worked on the project? And how much did they know about their mission?

Based on the true story of the secret city of Oak Ridge, which contributed along with Los Alamos to the development of the atom bomb, Leslie R. Schover imagines what life was like for those who worked on the Manhattan Project through the deeply human lens of Doris, one of the engineer's wives.

Doris is an interesting character, of Jewish heritage, and in many ways ahead of her time. She has a toddler, but she craves the fulfillment of work outside the home and wants to finish the college education she left behind when she married and became pregnant. Unfortunately, her husband Rob is not terribly supportive of her needs. He believes that providing financially for the family is purely a man's role, and he's increasingly neglecting her as he becomes more absorbed in his work at Oak Ridge.

The story of an ordinary couple in extraordinary times. Fission is a novel full of fascinating history and insights into life in a specially constructed secret city that would ultimately contribute to building the first atom bomb.

Schover beautifully captures the role of friendships in helping us through the hard times and our own mistakes, as Doris navigates isolation, unfulfilled dreams, and impossible choices during one of history's most consequential moments.

A novel for those who appreciate learning about untold history, Fission brings to life an extraordinary chapter of American history through a deeply human story.

[Roselyn Teukolsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt story of a troubled marriage. Review by Roselyn Teukolsky

This review is based on my reading an advance reader copy, provided by the author in return for an honest review (the only kind I provide).

Fission, by Leslie Schover, is an intimate and erudite portrait of a Jewish American woman caught up in the turmoil of the Manhattan Project during WWII.

Doris Friedman, a brilliant young woman and talented pianist, dreams of a life of intellectual achievement and fulfillment, when her equally young husband Rob is called on to help with the top-secret production of a tiny quantity of plutonium.

Doris finds herself at Oak Ridge, cloistered in a community of wives, in a stifling life of housework and child care, while the husbands, dedicated to the cause, work late into the night to achieve their lethal goals.

The women fill the hours with food, bridge, and gossiping, an insufferable life for Doris, who also endures flirtation with a man who means nothing to her. Consequences, both large and small, of Doris's actions reverberate throughout the novel, as Doris strives to right the ship of her troubled marriage.

The author is skillful in showing how lives are buffeted by history. Schover's knowledge shines through her characters and their dramas.

Also, Leslie Schover has a smooth and beguiling writing style that draws the reader into this engrossing story and keeps you reading until the tale is done.

[Michelene Esposito · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so thoroughly captivated by Fission. While many of the other stories about the Manhattan Project focus solely on the scientists and the science/political history, Leslie R. Schover has written a deeply moving, domestic/woman/mother/wife perspective that feels incredibly fresh. It’s a "coming-of-age" story wrapped in a high-stakes historical mystery, and it kept me hooked from start to finish.

Why I loved this book:

Doris is a Fantastic Protagonist: Seeing the 1940s through the eyes of a young mother whose dreams of being a concert pianist were derailed by the war and a surprise pregnancy was so relatable. How many of us have had to say "good-bye" to a youthful dream only to then find ourselves on a fascinating new path? Her "dogged determination" to find her own identity in the secret city of Oak Ridge makes her a heroine you can't help but root for.

Atmospheric and Richly Detailed: The author does a brilliant job of bringing the "secret city" of Oak Ridge to life—the unpaved streets, the wooden sidewalks, and the pervasive sense of secrecy.

Moral Complexity: I won't give any spoilers, but there is a subplot involving a potential Soviet spy. Enough said...

If you are a fan of The Rose Code or Oppenheimer, but want a story that focuses on the women who lived in the shadow of their men and the bomb, this is a must-read. It’s an evocative, beautifully written debut that will stay with you long after the final page!

[Cassidee Kuehner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fission follows the story of a young Jewish girl from Chicago. Doris sets aside her dreams to finish college and follows her husband Rob to Oak Ridge. Doris is one of the few wives that knows the truth behind what is happening day to day in the labs.

Doris is challenged by missing home, breaking the ice with new people, and being a young mom with little help from her husband. Rob ultimately becomes absent to her and over whelmed by his duty to work and create the bomb before time runs out.

She ultimately finds a way to make a living and find a sense of a purpose in a place that feels desolate at times. Doris also finds herself in situations she never would have imagined.

Overall the book was entertaining and a quick read. It felt like a page turner but at times I wanted more depth to the plot. I felt like the biggest climax in the plot was underwhelming and rushed. Some of the characters lacked development. I enjoyed the nods to the controversies of the atomic bomb but I felt that could have been developed further in the story. The author does have personal connections to the story with having parents that lived through this and so I acknowledge her understanding may be deeper than mine. I am grateful for her putting herself out there in her first novel.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may be familiar with the Manhattan Project during WWII (to develop the first atomic bomb), but in 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, Schover highlights how it profoundly impacted the personal lives and marriages of those involved, inviting you to connect emotionally.

Doris is a young Jewish woman, already a wife and mother when her husband is recruited for a top-secret project, the Manhattan Project, at the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, site.

The story seamlessly blends historical facts about the project with daily life, giving it a domestic drama feel as well as a historical fiction one. This allows you to feel the personal side of history. Doris cares for her daughter, teaches piano, plays bridge with the ladies, but ultimately grows bored, and the results are fractures in her marriage. A little intrigue, mixed with a woman’s strong determination, makes this a unique WWII love story.

The author shares in the Author’s Note that the novel is loosely based on her parents’ time in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project. Here she adds more insight and facts, for enhanced reading and research.

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @leslieschover for this gifted book.

[Kisane Slaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is based upon a pre-publication copy of the novel

Fission is set in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, from 1942 until the end of WWII. Drawing upon her own family history, the author skilfully combines the story of Doris, a young, talented woman struggling to be recognised as more than a stereotypical 1940s housewife and mother, and the horrifying tale of the creation and eventual deployment of the atomic bomb. Feeling frustrated and neglected by her husband, who is working around the clock on the top-secret project, Doris falls for the seductive advances of a radiation safety officer. She later suspects that he is a Russian spy. But to disclose her suspicions would also necessitate disclosing her affair, which would quite possibly mean the end of her marriage. This weaving together of the political pressures to produce a means to end the war, and the impact upon the personal lives of those involved, makes for fascinating reading that holds the reader to the end.

[Emily Harp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak by Leslie R. Schover was exactly just that, a novel set during one of the most heartbreaking times in world history chronicling the creation of the atomic bomb. WWII historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and this was such a unique perspective set in America and focusing in on an event of the war that is usually just a chapter in the story. Schover took on the morally conflicting emotions of destruction against a backdrop of naivety in what exactly was being created. I loved the intimate look into the lives of the families, their shared triumphs and private pain. The struggles of motherhood, marriage and woman’s rights and independence were accurate for the time, but so very relatable. The Author’s Note is a must read and provided historical insight and context and her personal connections to the story. This novel is for all WWII fiction lovers!

Thank you BookSirens and She Writes Press for the advanced ebook!
All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Marilyn Goncalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fission is one of those stories that works on a couple of emotional levels, and I loved how naturally it all came together. It’s set in Oak Ridge, Tennessee during the Manhattan Project, so you get this fascinating glimpse into life behind the scenes of WWII full of uncertainty.
Doris Friedman completely makes this book. She’s a young mom trying to figure out who she’s supposed to be versus who she actually wants to be. The story is very charged, with tough choices, and emotions that sneak up on you.
Thoughtful and moving, this is a great pick if you like historical fiction that focuses on women’s lives and the choices they’re forced to make.

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fission is a smart, engaging look at life inside the secretive world of the Manhattan Project, with a strong focus on the women expected to sacrifice their dreams for their husbands’ careers. Following a young wife uprooted from Chicago to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the story captures the loneliness, silence, and frustration of starting over in a town full of secrets.

Inspired by the author’s parents, the research is fascinating and accessible, while hints of dangerous science and possible Russian spies add tension. Thought-provoking and easy to discuss, this is a great pick for book clubs and fans of historical fiction with depth.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leslie Schover wrote Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak.” I very much enjoyed it for two reasons. First, it’s set on the homefront during WWII, a combination which I’m particularly interested in. Second, it’s a propulsive novel about a woman yearning to live the live she desires. The book more than satisfies the reader’s expectations on the main theme; and goes beyond. In a fascinating, close-up-way, it reveals little-known information about plutonium production in Oak Ridge, TN. Fundamentally, it’s a great read for lovers of women’s fiction. And just as much, it will more than satisfy readers who seek to learn from historical fiction.

[Julie Coryell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is based on a prepublication copy of the novel.

The legacy of parents working at Oak Ridge on the pressured research and production of atomic bombs is complicated for descendants. Perilous, principled, secret, what can we know today? The Cold War arms race magnified the terror and risk. Leslie Shover has absorbed the stories and emotions of her family, particularly her mother, and the findings in the last decade about spies into a sensitive recreation of their circumstances and marriage. She spins a tender believable tale while weaving truth and possibility.

[Tracy Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of Fission by Leslie R. Schover last month and read it from cover to cover with relish. What a page-turner!

I especially loved how Schover portrayed the trials of a young mother and wife within the backdrop of her husband's involvement in the advancement of the atom bomb, while also capturing the country's existential dread, which colored both her life choices and relationships.

A story that covers themes of women's liberation, complicated family dynamics, and the ultimate power of forgiveness, Fission is a powerful novel. I highly recommend it!

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dual faceted book.

It’s set for the most part from in Oak Ridge, Tennessee from 1943-1945.

We get a look into the area and what’s happening with that part of the Manhattan Project which gives the book a real historical fiction feel.

The second facet is the main character, Doris Friedman. We see her aspirations, her disappointments, her struggle to be what’s the norm vs what she wants to accomplish. It’s a great character study into this time period for women.

It’s a fast moving book that has family significance to the author.

[Danielle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

FISSION is a historical fiction story that takes place in WWII era Tennessee. I have read many WWII historical fiction books, but I cannot recall one that centered around the Manhattan project like this one did. This content made it unique for me and I really enjoyed it. The author did a great job with the characters and made them come to life for me!

Many thanks to Leslie R. Schover for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from start to finish and enjoyed getting into the character development and how it was used in the World War 2 element to tell the story and how good the story was. The characters worked well in the time-period and was invested in what was happening with the characters in this book. Leslie Schover was able to create a beautifully done historical fiction book and glad I was able to read this.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting mix of historical fiction, emotional depth, and a touch of suspense.

Set in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project, the story follows Doris, a young mother and one of the many women living behind the scenes of WWII.

This is a character-driven historical fiction with moral dilemmas, complicated relationships, and a strong sense of place, this one is worth picking up.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fascinating historical fiction for me. I didn’t know much about the efforts in Oak Ridge in the 1940s, and I devoured the story. The writing was super descriptive, so I could clearly picture everything. Doris was such a great character. I loved her spirited personality and her determination. I really appreciated the author’s note, which explained her family’s connection to Oak Ridge.

[Jude Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written from a perspective where fiction and memoir (as revealed in the author’s note) intersect, Fission is a fascinating, impeccably researched story about an important but oft-overlooked historical moment. The authenticity of Schover’s characters, along with many intriguing twists and turns of plot, make this a gripping and unforgettable read.

[Cindy Ojczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, a book knocks it out of the park when I have to look things up. I loved having, “I didn’t know that moments” while reading Fission. Bonus points for this historical fiction told from underrepresented voices.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story, difficult to put down. Impeccably researched history and the story of Doris and Rob drew me in, always anxious to know what would happen next. The various characters come to life and I felt like I was living the story, with all its ups and downs.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting novel of a woman giving up her hopes and dreams to follow her husband as he begins work on the Manhattan Project to create the first atomic bomb. I found the differences between the goals of men and women at that time and the things each were willing to do for their family enlightening and also stifling. I loved the author's notes at the end and the familial connection she has with the topic. Intriguing and well-written this is a must read for historical fiction and WW2 fiction lovers.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel set during WW2 during the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, TN. We follow Doris, a young Jewish mother whose husband is working on the project and is forced to give up her pursuit of education to keep her family together.

Doris makes a friend in Betty who they have to work out some differences but are there for each other in times of individual crisis. She also falls a bit for a man who she suspects might not be who he says he is and married a mistake that she corrects in a way to save her marriage and saves the risk that could have come if she has trusted him completely.

I love author's notes and the important info they have for the story.