What do you think?
Rate this book
Come Down Somewhere
For fans of WWII fiction comes a powerful novel by Jennifer L. Wright about two young women coming of age during the Trinity nuclear bomb test in 1945.
Sixteen-year-old Olive Alexander has lived on a ranch in the Jornada del Muerto region of southern New Mexico her entire life. But when World War II begins, the government seizes her family’s land for the construction of a new, top secret Army post.
While her mother remains behind, Olive is forced to live in nearby Alamogordo with her grandmother and find a place in a new school. When Jo Hawthorne crosses her path, Olive sees a chance for friendship―until she learns that Jo’s father is the Army sergeant who now occupies her beloved ranch. Already angry about her new reality, Olive pushes Jo away. But as she struggles to make sense of her grandmother’s lapses into the past and increasingly unsettling hints about what’s happening at the ranch, she slowly warms to Jo’s winsome faith and steady attempts at friendship . . . until one devastating day when the sky explodes around them and their lives are torn apart.
Seven years later, Jo returns to Alamogordo, still angry and wounded by the betrayals of that fateful day. Determined to put the past behind her once and for all, Jo hunts for answers and begins to realize the truth may be far more complicated than she believed, leading her on a desperate search to find her friend before it’s too late.
Sixteen-year-old Olive Alexander has lived on a ranch in the Jornada del Muerto region of southern New Mexico her entire life. But when World War II begins, the government seizes her family’s land for the construction of a new, top secret Army post.
While her mother remains behind, Olive is forced to live in nearby Alamogordo with her grandmother and find a place in a new school. When Jo Hawthorne crosses her path, Olive sees a chance for friendship―until she learns that Jo’s father is the Army sergeant who now occupies her beloved ranch. Already angry about her new reality, Olive pushes Jo away. But as she struggles to make sense of her grandmother’s lapses into the past and increasingly unsettling hints about what’s happening at the ranch, she slowly warms to Jo’s winsome faith and steady attempts at friendship . . . until one devastating day when the sky explodes around them and their lives are torn apart.
Seven years later, Jo returns to Alamogordo, still angry and wounded by the betrayals of that fateful day. Determined to put the past behind her once and for all, Jo hunts for answers and begins to realize the truth may be far more complicated than she believed, leading her on a desperate search to find her friend before it’s too late.
416 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2022
63 people are currently reading
3272 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer L. Wright
4 books377 followersJennifer Wright has been writing since middle school, eventually earning a master's degree in journalism from Indiana University. However, it took only a few short months of covering the local news to realize that writing fiction is much better for the soul--and definitely way more fun. A born and bred Hoosier, she was swept off her feet by an Air Force pilot and has spent the past decade traveling the world and, every few years, attempting to make old curtains fit in the windows of a new home.
She currently resides in New Mexico with her husband, two children, one grumpy dachshund, and a herd of overly demanding guinea pigs.
She is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers Association) and her second novel, 'Come Down Somewhere,' is a semi-finalist for a 2023 Carol Award in the Historical Fiction category.
She currently resides in New Mexico with her husband, two children, one grumpy dachshund, and a herd of overly demanding guinea pigs.
She is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers Association) and her second novel, 'Come Down Somewhere,' is a semi-finalist for a 2023 Carol Award in the Historical Fiction category.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
July 20, 2022
Olive Alexander is angry when her families ranch in Southern Mexico is taken over by the army, her mother Evelyn gets to stay and she has to go live with her forgetful grandmother in Alamogordo. Olive has to attend high school, which she hates, and her grandmother makes her go to church.
Olive meets Jo Hawthorne, she’s the same age, and maybe living in Alamogordo wont be so bad? Then Olive discovers Jo’s father is in the army, and he’s living on her beloved ranch. Olive is angry, she pushes Jo away, but Jo doesn’t give up easily, and she tries to make Olive see that it’s not her fault and she's a victim of circumstances out of her control.
One morning in July 1945, Olive can’t believe what she has just felt, heard and seen. A deafening explosion in the Mexican desert, a huge mushroom cloud of dust and are they under attack from the Japanese? The army has just tested a nuclear bomb, it will change Olive's life, and the residents living in the nearby area for years to come.
In 1952, Jo returns to Alamogordo, she's still angry with her father and Olive for letting her down. Jo's determined to put the past and hurt behind her, visit her father and then leave town as soon as possible. Jo discovers her father is very sick, he’s not the only one, and Olive hasn't been seen in years. Jo has no idea what really happened, she wants answers, and she’s shocked when she discovers the truth.
I received a copy of Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright from Edelweiss and Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The Dual timeline story looks at the relationship between two teenage girls, both are lonely, their unusual friendship, and how their families kept secrets from them.
The story highlights how the American Army used dry, barren and remote land between Mexico and Texas to plan and test a nuclear bomb. Known as Trinity, I hadn't heard about the test site prior to reading this book, a terrible disaster from the Second World War and for the people who lived in the area. I found the religious aspects of the story overpowered the narrative, however I enjoyed the mysterious side to the plot, and four stars from me.
Olive meets Jo Hawthorne, she’s the same age, and maybe living in Alamogordo wont be so bad? Then Olive discovers Jo’s father is in the army, and he’s living on her beloved ranch. Olive is angry, she pushes Jo away, but Jo doesn’t give up easily, and she tries to make Olive see that it’s not her fault and she's a victim of circumstances out of her control.
One morning in July 1945, Olive can’t believe what she has just felt, heard and seen. A deafening explosion in the Mexican desert, a huge mushroom cloud of dust and are they under attack from the Japanese? The army has just tested a nuclear bomb, it will change Olive's life, and the residents living in the nearby area for years to come.
In 1952, Jo returns to Alamogordo, she's still angry with her father and Olive for letting her down. Jo's determined to put the past and hurt behind her, visit her father and then leave town as soon as possible. Jo discovers her father is very sick, he’s not the only one, and Olive hasn't been seen in years. Jo has no idea what really happened, she wants answers, and she’s shocked when she discovers the truth.
I received a copy of Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright from Edelweiss and Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The Dual timeline story looks at the relationship between two teenage girls, both are lonely, their unusual friendship, and how their families kept secrets from them.
The story highlights how the American Army used dry, barren and remote land between Mexico and Texas to plan and test a nuclear bomb. Known as Trinity, I hadn't heard about the test site prior to reading this book, a terrible disaster from the Second World War and for the people who lived in the area. I found the religious aspects of the story overpowered the narrative, however I enjoyed the mysterious side to the plot, and four stars from me.
April 24, 2022
5 ⭐️
Set in the 1940-50s, Come Down Somewhere follows the story of two young women: Olive Alexander and Jo Hawthorne. Olive’s story follows her childhood years during WW2, when the only life she has known is uprooted as the government picks her family’s land in New Mexico to be the top secret construction site for a new Army post. Jo’s story picks up the narrative in 1952, when Jo returns to the city she left seven years ago, on the eve of wounds and betrayals, Alamogordo. Still reeling from the hurt others caused her, Jo sets out to find answers and ends up with more questions than she bargained for. But the questions she has leads to answers that someone can answer, but that person isn’t who she thought it would be. Want to know who? Read to find out!
When I picked up this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m familiar with the author, but I have yet to read her other book, If It Rains. The cover and blurb intrigued me, so I thought I’d give it a try. Boy, am I glad I did. This book—it’s an absolute five-star read for me.
Here’s a few reasons why:
1. The characters in this book made me feel so much. Reading about the grief, anger, and hurt they felt was like reading someone’s diary; honest thoughts, unfiltered feelings, and raw transparency. So many of the emotions the characters wrestled with, I have too. I think that’s why the book felt so relatable to me. Not a lot of books I’ve read feature characters that are very relatable for one reason or another, but this book was the exception.
2. The redemption arc in this book was *chefs kiss* spectacular. A lot of books have the characters go from being bitter to forgiving either too fast, or the inward change falls flat for me. But this book, especially with Jo’s character—it was portrayed in such a real way. Jo’s journey from not knowing where God was to finding Him wasn’t an overnight thing, nor did it take place within the first few chapters. Actually, it didn’t take place until 3/4 of the way through. But it was worth the wait—absolutely worth it.
3. The storyline was unique and original. There are sooo many books out there about WW2, but this storyline featured aspects of the war that I didn’t know about, like the Trinity nuclear test. I won’t give away any spoilers, but it was really eye-opening for me. The history of the war played a huge part in this story; however, it didn’t distract from the storyline or bog it down with boring details. If anything, it added a ton of value and insight to the story and helped strengthen the plot immensely.
I probably sound like I’m just gushing about this book without listing anything I wish the author had done differently or things I didn’t appreciate about this book. That’s because there aren’t any. I loved this book exactly how it was. This book isn’t a lighthearted read; it’s deep, heavy, and makes you feel so many emotions. Those kinds of books are must-reads for me. The author did a splendid job with Come Down Somewhere—and I can’t wait to add a physical copy to my shelf once it releases later this year. All the stars from me!
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of Come Down Somewhere. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
Set in the 1940-50s, Come Down Somewhere follows the story of two young women: Olive Alexander and Jo Hawthorne. Olive’s story follows her childhood years during WW2, when the only life she has known is uprooted as the government picks her family’s land in New Mexico to be the top secret construction site for a new Army post. Jo’s story picks up the narrative in 1952, when Jo returns to the city she left seven years ago, on the eve of wounds and betrayals, Alamogordo. Still reeling from the hurt others caused her, Jo sets out to find answers and ends up with more questions than she bargained for. But the questions she has leads to answers that someone can answer, but that person isn’t who she thought it would be. Want to know who? Read to find out!
When I picked up this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m familiar with the author, but I have yet to read her other book, If It Rains. The cover and blurb intrigued me, so I thought I’d give it a try. Boy, am I glad I did. This book—it’s an absolute five-star read for me.
Here’s a few reasons why:
1. The characters in this book made me feel so much. Reading about the grief, anger, and hurt they felt was like reading someone’s diary; honest thoughts, unfiltered feelings, and raw transparency. So many of the emotions the characters wrestled with, I have too. I think that’s why the book felt so relatable to me. Not a lot of books I’ve read feature characters that are very relatable for one reason or another, but this book was the exception.
2. The redemption arc in this book was *chefs kiss* spectacular. A lot of books have the characters go from being bitter to forgiving either too fast, or the inward change falls flat for me. But this book, especially with Jo’s character—it was portrayed in such a real way. Jo’s journey from not knowing where God was to finding Him wasn’t an overnight thing, nor did it take place within the first few chapters. Actually, it didn’t take place until 3/4 of the way through. But it was worth the wait—absolutely worth it.
3. The storyline was unique and original. There are sooo many books out there about WW2, but this storyline featured aspects of the war that I didn’t know about, like the Trinity nuclear test. I won’t give away any spoilers, but it was really eye-opening for me. The history of the war played a huge part in this story; however, it didn’t distract from the storyline or bog it down with boring details. If anything, it added a ton of value and insight to the story and helped strengthen the plot immensely.
I probably sound like I’m just gushing about this book without listing anything I wish the author had done differently or things I didn’t appreciate about this book. That’s because there aren’t any. I loved this book exactly how it was. This book isn’t a lighthearted read; it’s deep, heavy, and makes you feel so many emotions. Those kinds of books are must-reads for me. The author did a splendid job with Come Down Somewhere—and I can’t wait to add a physical copy to my shelf once it releases later this year. All the stars from me!
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of Come Down Somewhere. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
June 8, 2023
I was born in 1943 and especially interested in fictional historical novels set during that period of time .. an outstanding opportunity to learn something new as I did in reading ‘COME DOWN SOMEWHERE.’ Based on a true story, I can highly recommend this book for clubs as the discussion themes include coming-of-age, friendship, family relationships, New Mexico history & beyond. Read it!
Brava, Jennifer L. Wright
Brava, Jennifer L. Wright
September 16, 2022
1944 and 1952 New Mexico
I love that this sophomore release is unique, faith building and steeped in history. A page turner!
I love that this sophomore release is unique, faith building and steeped in history. A page turner!
June 15, 2023
Wow. Just wow. 🥺
This story is as poignantly beautiful as it is powerfully heartbreaking! Seeing the events & the aftermath of the Trinity test through the eyes of Olive & Jo left a hitch in my chest and a lump in my throat.
While I don’t consider myself an American history scholar by any means, page after page of this story I couldn’t help but wonder why the Trinity test was relegated to a single paragraph in a history class somewhere in my high school era. Why was it not better known? Or maybe it is, and my Canadian ignorance is showing. 🙈
Regardless, it’s a necessary story. Heavily emotional & rightly so. It took me a bit to get invested, but once I was, I was all in. It’s sweet in a way & yet messy, full of the struggles associated with coming of age. And perhaps even more, it’s a story of relationships—lost & mended—grief, anger, and the life-changing power of forgiveness.
And the ending… ahh, it’s bittersweet, but it couldn’t have ended any other way. 😭
This story is as poignantly beautiful as it is powerfully heartbreaking! Seeing the events & the aftermath of the Trinity test through the eyes of Olive & Jo left a hitch in my chest and a lump in my throat.
While I don’t consider myself an American history scholar by any means, page after page of this story I couldn’t help but wonder why the Trinity test was relegated to a single paragraph in a history class somewhere in my high school era. Why was it not better known? Or maybe it is, and my Canadian ignorance is showing. 🙈
Regardless, it’s a necessary story. Heavily emotional & rightly so. It took me a bit to get invested, but once I was, I was all in. It’s sweet in a way & yet messy, full of the struggles associated with coming of age. And perhaps even more, it’s a story of relationships—lost & mended—grief, anger, and the life-changing power of forgiveness.
And the ending… ahh, it’s bittersweet, but it couldn’t have ended any other way. 😭
August 16, 2022
Olive Alexander, 15, and her family have had to move from their ranch in Jornada del Muerto, New Mexico, because the U.S. Military has ‘moved in’ to use their land for a secret testing facility. As luck would have it, Olive meets Jo Hawthorne when the Alexanders temporarily move to Alamogordo and Olive starts a new highschool. Jo happens to be the daughter of the Army sergeant who has commandeered the Alexander ranch and it’s understandable why their friendship gets off to a rocky start.
I was in awe of how the author captured the teenage mindset. Olive’s anger over relocating and not being able to stay and help showed her limited grasp on what was happening. Jo’s anger at her father is expressed as hate ~ “Hate for what [he] chose not to be a part of.” In her limited view, he chose to be part of something destructive. Destructive for their family, for the environment and for the world. He chose that destruction over her. I enjoyed having a front row seat to view their growth.
I was captivated by the grassroots investigation into the connection between cancer and the secret base and secret mission and horrified at the land grab and ignorant disregard for the people who lived there and who were subject to the effects of ‘trials.’ I learned about ‘downwinders’ and how a physician’s comments after witnessing the Trinity test gave rise to the intriguing title.
I am still amazed at how the author was able to dovetail a journey of self-discovery and a journey of faith with that of a nuclear bomb test. Incredible writing and engrossing story that will take up residence in your heart and mind for weeks afterwards. Wright’s exploration of redemption and restoration will remind you that despite the destruction in the world, then and now, God’s hand is in every experience.
I was gifted this advance copy by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I was in awe of how the author captured the teenage mindset. Olive’s anger over relocating and not being able to stay and help showed her limited grasp on what was happening. Jo’s anger at her father is expressed as hate ~ “Hate for what [he] chose not to be a part of.” In her limited view, he chose to be part of something destructive. Destructive for their family, for the environment and for the world. He chose that destruction over her. I enjoyed having a front row seat to view their growth.
I was captivated by the grassroots investigation into the connection between cancer and the secret base and secret mission and horrified at the land grab and ignorant disregard for the people who lived there and who were subject to the effects of ‘trials.’ I learned about ‘downwinders’ and how a physician’s comments after witnessing the Trinity test gave rise to the intriguing title.
I am still amazed at how the author was able to dovetail a journey of self-discovery and a journey of faith with that of a nuclear bomb test. Incredible writing and engrossing story that will take up residence in your heart and mind for weeks afterwards. Wright’s exploration of redemption and restoration will remind you that despite the destruction in the world, then and now, God’s hand is in every experience.
I was gifted this advance copy by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
January 14, 2025
4.5 stars for me.
I really liked this book, hence, why I finished it within two days. 😉
It was funny, sad, and mysterious all at the same time that kept me glued to each word to find out what happened to two girls, Olive Alexander and Jo Hawthorne, as WWII rages on and heavily influences their lives.
Jennifer L. Wright did a superb job with the dialogue, descriptions, and timing/flow of the story as it alternated between the point of view of Jo and Olive, the former in the story’s present and in the latter’s past, while including their relationship with God and others. It was really inspiring and I closed the book feeling sad yet hopeful for the characters. I hope you feel the same if you read this book. 😁
Happy reading!
I really liked this book, hence, why I finished it within two days. 😉
It was funny, sad, and mysterious all at the same time that kept me glued to each word to find out what happened to two girls, Olive Alexander and Jo Hawthorne, as WWII rages on and heavily influences their lives.
Jennifer L. Wright did a superb job with the dialogue, descriptions, and timing/flow of the story as it alternated between the point of view of Jo and Olive, the former in the story’s present and in the latter’s past, while including their relationship with God and others. It was really inspiring and I closed the book feeling sad yet hopeful for the characters. I hope you feel the same if you read this book. 😁
Happy reading!
September 15, 2022
Jennifer Wright delivers a powerful coming of age story about two young women, opposite in every way, their families, and the struggles of growing up amidst the backdrop of WWII. It’s a story of betrayal, misunderstandings, love, and faith woven around the events leading up to the testing of the atomic bomb in New Mexico. The story comes full circle as each young woman at different times grapples with faith and the existence of God.
At the beginning of the story, Jo and Olive are both 16 years old, and despite their completely opposite looks and dispositions, have a lot in common. Both take care of grandmothers with ill health, both have brothers serving in the military, and both lost a parent. What starts out as a developing friendship quickly deteriorates when Olive figures out that it’s Jo’s military father along with the U.S. government who has taken over Olive’s ranch, which forced her to move in with her ailing grandmother in the city. A bitter fight between Jo and Olive at her grandmother’s church results in a broken window and forces the two to work together to pay for a new one.
While Olive’s atheistic Russian roots taught her not to believe in God, Jo believes wholeheartedly and wants to serve a church mission some day. As the two get to know each other better, their relationship changes from one of wariness and antagonism to friendship. But, strange happenings at her family’s ranch cause Olive to question what is really going on, especially with her mother, leading up to the fateful day when a horrific explosion changes their lives forever.
Seven years later, Jo returns to Alamogordo to reconcile her past and finally learn what happened on the fateful day she left. She’s a different person from her hopeful, faithful 16-year-old self. Hurt by seeming betrayals, she delves back into her painful past to learn the secrets of that day. She meets a man at the hospital named Chris who offers to help her find the answers she’s seeking surrounding Olive, her father, and the tragic events which unfolded on the day that changed the world forever.
This was such a bittersweet story. There are quite a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming until the end. It’s very much a slow burn drama where readers are given clues along the way as to exactly what happened on the day the bomb was tested. I loved the rich historical details, the complicated characters, and the storyline. This story evokes a lot of emotions and I found myself struggling with my own feelings at times as I read this. It definitely takes the reader on an emotional journey where the ending is complicated much like life.
Highly recommend to historical and Christian fiction lovers! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher via JustRead Tours. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
At the beginning of the story, Jo and Olive are both 16 years old, and despite their completely opposite looks and dispositions, have a lot in common. Both take care of grandmothers with ill health, both have brothers serving in the military, and both lost a parent. What starts out as a developing friendship quickly deteriorates when Olive figures out that it’s Jo’s military father along with the U.S. government who has taken over Olive’s ranch, which forced her to move in with her ailing grandmother in the city. A bitter fight between Jo and Olive at her grandmother’s church results in a broken window and forces the two to work together to pay for a new one.
While Olive’s atheistic Russian roots taught her not to believe in God, Jo believes wholeheartedly and wants to serve a church mission some day. As the two get to know each other better, their relationship changes from one of wariness and antagonism to friendship. But, strange happenings at her family’s ranch cause Olive to question what is really going on, especially with her mother, leading up to the fateful day when a horrific explosion changes their lives forever.
Seven years later, Jo returns to Alamogordo to reconcile her past and finally learn what happened on the fateful day she left. She’s a different person from her hopeful, faithful 16-year-old self. Hurt by seeming betrayals, she delves back into her painful past to learn the secrets of that day. She meets a man at the hospital named Chris who offers to help her find the answers she’s seeking surrounding Olive, her father, and the tragic events which unfolded on the day that changed the world forever.
This was such a bittersweet story. There are quite a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming until the end. It’s very much a slow burn drama where readers are given clues along the way as to exactly what happened on the day the bomb was tested. I loved the rich historical details, the complicated characters, and the storyline. This story evokes a lot of emotions and I found myself struggling with my own feelings at times as I read this. It definitely takes the reader on an emotional journey where the ending is complicated much like life.
Highly recommend to historical and Christian fiction lovers! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher via JustRead Tours. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
August 8, 2022
I enjoyed this book so much! I was captivated from page one and couldn't stop reading. I read this whole book in one sitting! Jennifer L. Wright is a fresh, new voice on the Christian Fiction market! Her book has such a real feeling to it. I like that she doesn't sugar coat the events in her book. I really enjoyed the way the chapters were alternating between Olive and Jo. It kept me guessing about what was going to happen next. She has definitely earned her way onto my favorite authors list!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
November 22, 2022
Lots of emotions w/ this book, about a subject (Trinity, site of an atomic bomb test) I didn't know about, w/ a touch of mystery that contained some clues. Great book!
July 20, 2025
I had no clue why the book was named what it was until the very end. Once I got there, I thought, "Oh yeah, that makes perfect sense."
I also had no clue, until near the end, why one of the main characters was virtually pushed out of her home and made to go live with her grandmother. In my head I thought nothing could be that big of a secret, and I thought I might be disappointed with the answer, as I often feel when a secret is revealed. I wasn’t.
Clues within the book seemed to be leading in one direction, and I think I’m so smart that I figured it out already eventually revealed I was completely wrong.
All in all, the book had a number of surprises. Love that.
I also love when a book tells the story of an event that happened that I may or may not have heard much of. The Trinity nuclear blast in 1945 in southern New Mexico was an event I had heard of, but paid little attention to. That’s what this book was greatly about… or at least it was the event around which the stories within the book take center stage.
The main characters are two girls, Olive and Jo. There are also two timelines.
In 1945 sixteen-year-old Olive Alexander's family farm in Jornada del Muerto, New Mexico, was taken over by the government through eminent domain. The commanding officer in charge of this take-over was Sergeant Hawthorne. The other female character was Jo Hawthorne, the daughter of that sergeant. Both of the girls were displaced to Alamogordo, NM, ending up in the same school.
Although Jo wanted to be Olive's friend in their new school, Olive immediately considered her the enemy. Her illogical anger toward Jo was often volatile. Jo was a Christian and continued to treat Olive far better most people would under those conditions. She continued to show Christ's love, and eventually Olive grew to trust her.
That sounds simple. However, this book was anything but simple.
The other timeline is seven years later when Jo came back to Alamogordo from a number of mission trips all over the world, seeking closure for the horrendous event and circumstances that happened in 1945. Secrets and revelations in this time period had me reeling!
At different times throughout this book either girl was unsympathetic. I didn’t much like Olive in the beginning because of her extreme hatred for, and mistreatment of Jo who was nothing but kindness. But after Jo’s mission trips, Jo's personality changed so drastically that I ended up not liking her at all.
But God has a way of bringing things around.
Fantastic characters were a complete surprise throughout the book. One person I didn’t like all the way through was Olive’s uncle Hersell. He was just mean. Sometimes I liked her mom but often I didn’t. I always loved her grandmother, poor dear.
Two characters were enigmas to me. First was a well-dressed man named Charlie who was in Jo’s life. He just seemed too involved, too accommodating, too nice when Jo treated him like garbage. The other confusing character was Jo’s father, Sergeant Hawthorne. I didn’t know what to think about him all the way through the book to be honest. But still, good characters involved in a very well done plot.
Fantastic faith messages throughout the book as well! Yay!
I really liked this book. Truly, hard for me to put down. Not a chick-lit book at all, certainly no romance to speak of, so I think even my husband would like this, which says a lot since he's entirely a non-fiction reader.
*******************************************
That review was in May. It’s now August 2023 and I’ve learned the movie Oppenheimer is out. This book deals with the events in that movie.
Will be going soon.
*******************************************
Well, I saw the movie Oppenheimer and was terribly disappointed. Why the nudity? Why the sex scenes? Oh yeah — Hollywood. I should have read reviews and rating details before we went.
I also had no clue, until near the end, why one of the main characters was virtually pushed out of her home and made to go live with her grandmother. In my head I thought nothing could be that big of a secret, and I thought I might be disappointed with the answer, as I often feel when a secret is revealed. I wasn’t.
Clues within the book seemed to be leading in one direction, and I think I’m so smart that I figured it out already eventually revealed I was completely wrong.
All in all, the book had a number of surprises. Love that.
I also love when a book tells the story of an event that happened that I may or may not have heard much of. The Trinity nuclear blast in 1945 in southern New Mexico was an event I had heard of, but paid little attention to. That’s what this book was greatly about… or at least it was the event around which the stories within the book take center stage.
The main characters are two girls, Olive and Jo. There are also two timelines.
In 1945 sixteen-year-old Olive Alexander's family farm in Jornada del Muerto, New Mexico, was taken over by the government through eminent domain. The commanding officer in charge of this take-over was Sergeant Hawthorne. The other female character was Jo Hawthorne, the daughter of that sergeant. Both of the girls were displaced to Alamogordo, NM, ending up in the same school.
Although Jo wanted to be Olive's friend in their new school, Olive immediately considered her the enemy. Her illogical anger toward Jo was often volatile. Jo was a Christian and continued to treat Olive far better most people would under those conditions. She continued to show Christ's love, and eventually Olive grew to trust her.
That sounds simple. However, this book was anything but simple.
The other timeline is seven years later when Jo came back to Alamogordo from a number of mission trips all over the world, seeking closure for the horrendous event and circumstances that happened in 1945. Secrets and revelations in this time period had me reeling!
At different times throughout this book either girl was unsympathetic. I didn’t much like Olive in the beginning because of her extreme hatred for, and mistreatment of Jo who was nothing but kindness. But after Jo’s mission trips, Jo's personality changed so drastically that I ended up not liking her at all.
But God has a way of bringing things around.
Fantastic characters were a complete surprise throughout the book. One person I didn’t like all the way through was Olive’s uncle Hersell. He was just mean. Sometimes I liked her mom but often I didn’t. I always loved her grandmother, poor dear.
Two characters were enigmas to me. First was a well-dressed man named Charlie who was in Jo’s life. He just seemed too involved, too accommodating, too nice when Jo treated him like garbage. The other confusing character was Jo’s father, Sergeant Hawthorne. I didn’t know what to think about him all the way through the book to be honest. But still, good characters involved in a very well done plot.
Fantastic faith messages throughout the book as well! Yay!
I really liked this book. Truly, hard for me to put down. Not a chick-lit book at all, certainly no romance to speak of, so I think even my husband would like this, which says a lot since he's entirely a non-fiction reader.
*******************************************
That review was in May. It’s now August 2023 and I’ve learned the movie Oppenheimer is out. This book deals with the events in that movie.
Will be going soon.
*******************************************
Well, I saw the movie Oppenheimer and was terribly disappointed. Why the nudity? Why the sex scenes? Oh yeah — Hollywood. I should have read reviews and rating details before we went.
July 31, 2023
Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright
Topic or themes I saw: Hurting and hard people to love, being loved. Bitterness and rejection. Belief in God. Broken families.
Read it if you:
✔️Love real, non-sugar coated stories
✔️Love historical fiction set in 1940’s-50’s
✔️Want to learn about testing of the atomic bomb
✔️Love stories about friendship and coming of age novels
Story: This novel held so much intrigue and kept me flipping pages. So many questions (in the best kind of way) popped in my mind as I read! There was a central theme of believing in God vs unbelievers. This topic was explored expertly through many different characters (some who were very firm in faith, some indifferent, some hostile to it, and some who were searching because they had it (and lost it). All their individual experiences/views came together in a seamless flow.
Wright’s writing style was so beautiful. The way she put words and thoughts together was stunning. For example after a very big moment she embodies the gravity of it in this sentence: “My grandmother’s voice, quiet. So quiet it was the loudest thing in the room.”
This story reveals the thief of bitterness and assuming you know the whole story when you don’t. The thief of simmering in pain and anger. The end came together marvelous and strong in faith elements.
Main takeaway: God is always with us and we can find beauty if we stop simmering in our pain.
“Maybe it truly was time to grow up. To move past…cursing the world for not making a place for me in the present when I wasn’t willing to let go of the past.”
How I rate books:
I largely rate books on how they make me feel which is incredibly subjective 🥰.
5⭐️–Absolutely adored and loved the book, a favorite.
4⭐️-Really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
3⭐️-Liked the book, it was engaging and interesting and I am glad I read it, but I wasn’t drawn in emotionally as much as others.
2⭐️- There was a strong theme that I did not agree with or overall the book just left me with a bad feeling.
Topic or themes I saw: Hurting and hard people to love, being loved. Bitterness and rejection. Belief in God. Broken families.
Read it if you:
✔️Love real, non-sugar coated stories
✔️Love historical fiction set in 1940’s-50’s
✔️Want to learn about testing of the atomic bomb
✔️Love stories about friendship and coming of age novels
Story: This novel held so much intrigue and kept me flipping pages. So many questions (in the best kind of way) popped in my mind as I read! There was a central theme of believing in God vs unbelievers. This topic was explored expertly through many different characters (some who were very firm in faith, some indifferent, some hostile to it, and some who were searching because they had it (and lost it). All their individual experiences/views came together in a seamless flow.
Wright’s writing style was so beautiful. The way she put words and thoughts together was stunning. For example after a very big moment she embodies the gravity of it in this sentence: “My grandmother’s voice, quiet. So quiet it was the loudest thing in the room.”
This story reveals the thief of bitterness and assuming you know the whole story when you don’t. The thief of simmering in pain and anger. The end came together marvelous and strong in faith elements.
Main takeaway: God is always with us and we can find beauty if we stop simmering in our pain.
“Maybe it truly was time to grow up. To move past…cursing the world for not making a place for me in the present when I wasn’t willing to let go of the past.”
How I rate books:
I largely rate books on how they make me feel which is incredibly subjective 🥰.
5⭐️–Absolutely adored and loved the book, a favorite.
4⭐️-Really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
3⭐️-Liked the book, it was engaging and interesting and I am glad I read it, but I wasn’t drawn in emotionally as much as others.
2⭐️- There was a strong theme that I did not agree with or overall the book just left me with a bad feeling.
Read
August 29, 2022The Jornada del Muerto and the Trinity test create a powerful and unique backdrop for this thoughtful coming-of-age story. I love the sincerity of Jennifer's writing and the earnestness with which she portrays complicated relationships. This is the perfect choice for readers who love historical fiction as well as women's fiction.
June 5, 2022
Fantastic! I actually came up with a lot of words for this book as I was reading it. Here are a few:
impactful
disturbing
problematic (people and situations)
suspenseful
tension (the book is full of that)
intense
The novel is all of that. At first all I could see was that there were two angry, resentful and unhappy girls. Olive was a teenager in the southern New Mexico town of Alamagordo whose story took place in 1944, and Jo was young woman who returned to Alamagordo in 1952 after having been away for seven years. Jo tried to be friendly toward Olive in 1944 but by the time she came back to town in 1952, she hated Olive, and even worse, she hated her own father.
In 1944 Jo was full of Christian light and love, but by 1952 it had been completely obscured by anger and resentment, so this novel is partly about Jo's crisis of faith. Meanwhile, Olive was raised agnostic/atheist and had no love for Christianity. What a great way to start a Christian novel, right?
Olive's hatred and bitterness came from having her home life severely disturbed by World War II. She'd been raised at a remote ranch near the Chupadera Mesa in New Mexico and that's where she wanted to be the rest of her life. Unfortunately her home was chosen for military use during the war and by eminent domain she was forced to leave the ranch while her mother stayed behind to do ongoing ranch work. Olive moved in with her grandmother in Alamogordo. That's where the book begins - with Olive's eviction.
At first I realized I was having a hard time loving any of the characters. Though Jo was a lovely Christian girl in 1944, by 1952 she'd become hardened and unpleasant. I had to wonder what had happened to this young woman, so that set up a lot of tension and suspense for most of the remainder of the book. Even though I didn't like either Olive or Jo while they were lost in their angers, I continued reading, hoping they'd get better. I wanted to see a transformation, something similar to Jane Austin's Emma.
I liked that there was a dual time line. I am loving novels like this. Also I appreciated that the chapters alternated between telling Olive's story, or Jo's. At no time did I feel bored. I never felt the story was lagging. It soon became a bit of a page turner for me. After reading this I'm very much wanting to read the author's first novel, If It Rains, which tells the story of a teenager living through the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, in 1935. I like how this author is choosing some dramatic historical events for her settings, and especially that these are times and places I don't usually see in Christian novels.
Overall I think this novel is good for teenagers or anyone interested in a good clean Christian reading experience that doesn't start with everyone being perfect. There were a lot of imperfect people in this novel and you'll have a hard time finding even one perfectly good guy... though I think the pastor might qualify, but he wasn't a main character.
The most important part of this novel for me is that it has a meaningful Christian message. When I read a novel advertised as a Christian novel, then get no great Christian message, I feel cheated; maybe some characters were Christian, but that's about all. However this novel isn't like that at all. I could tell that the author, Jennifer L. Wright, is truly born again because she has a mature understanding of what it means to be a Christian and was able to put that message into a believable and heart-felt fictional narrative. This was really well-done.
I thank the publisher for choosing me to receive a digital copy of this novel as an ARC via NetGalley. I did very much love this book, and all feedback and comments are my own, sincerely given.
impactful
disturbing
problematic (people and situations)
suspenseful
tension (the book is full of that)
intense
The novel is all of that. At first all I could see was that there were two angry, resentful and unhappy girls. Olive was a teenager in the southern New Mexico town of Alamagordo whose story took place in 1944, and Jo was young woman who returned to Alamagordo in 1952 after having been away for seven years. Jo tried to be friendly toward Olive in 1944 but by the time she came back to town in 1952, she hated Olive, and even worse, she hated her own father.
In 1944 Jo was full of Christian light and love, but by 1952 it had been completely obscured by anger and resentment, so this novel is partly about Jo's crisis of faith. Meanwhile, Olive was raised agnostic/atheist and had no love for Christianity. What a great way to start a Christian novel, right?
Olive's hatred and bitterness came from having her home life severely disturbed by World War II. She'd been raised at a remote ranch near the Chupadera Mesa in New Mexico and that's where she wanted to be the rest of her life. Unfortunately her home was chosen for military use during the war and by eminent domain she was forced to leave the ranch while her mother stayed behind to do ongoing ranch work. Olive moved in with her grandmother in Alamogordo. That's where the book begins - with Olive's eviction.
At first I realized I was having a hard time loving any of the characters. Though Jo was a lovely Christian girl in 1944, by 1952 she'd become hardened and unpleasant. I had to wonder what had happened to this young woman, so that set up a lot of tension and suspense for most of the remainder of the book. Even though I didn't like either Olive or Jo while they were lost in their angers, I continued reading, hoping they'd get better. I wanted to see a transformation, something similar to Jane Austin's Emma.
I liked that there was a dual time line. I am loving novels like this. Also I appreciated that the chapters alternated between telling Olive's story, or Jo's. At no time did I feel bored. I never felt the story was lagging. It soon became a bit of a page turner for me. After reading this I'm very much wanting to read the author's first novel, If It Rains, which tells the story of a teenager living through the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, in 1935. I like how this author is choosing some dramatic historical events for her settings, and especially that these are times and places I don't usually see in Christian novels.
Overall I think this novel is good for teenagers or anyone interested in a good clean Christian reading experience that doesn't start with everyone being perfect. There were a lot of imperfect people in this novel and you'll have a hard time finding even one perfectly good guy... though I think the pastor might qualify, but he wasn't a main character.
The most important part of this novel for me is that it has a meaningful Christian message. When I read a novel advertised as a Christian novel, then get no great Christian message, I feel cheated; maybe some characters were Christian, but that's about all. However this novel isn't like that at all. I could tell that the author, Jennifer L. Wright, is truly born again because she has a mature understanding of what it means to be a Christian and was able to put that message into a believable and heart-felt fictional narrative. This was really well-done.
I thank the publisher for choosing me to receive a digital copy of this novel as an ARC via NetGalley. I did very much love this book, and all feedback and comments are my own, sincerely given.
June 17, 2022
Not gonna lie; I wasn't looking forward to reading this, as I've heard that Jennifer L. Wright's books are sad. I'd been putting it off. Now that I'm done, I'm not sure how to put all my thoughts and feelings into words, so here are my notes as I read:
-Oh goodness. Just finished chapter one and am already all choked up. This isn't going to be a light read.
-Trinity. Since it's a military base, no drones are allowed to fly over it, so I didn't see any pictures. Here's the description, directly from the book:
"A sea of green glass in the middle of the desert, frozen against the shallow depression of its earthly container.
She had never seen anything so beautiful-or so terrible-in her life."
Apparently, it was bulldozed under later.
-This is a HEAVY book. I've had to stop reading many times to just breathe. I wouldn't say it's dark, but it definitely isn't a bright, happy read.
-Oh my. When Jo goes to her father in the hospital and weeps "for the things that were, the things that should have been, and the things that never could be. For so much wasted time." I can so relate to this. It's very similar to what I went through with my maternal grandfather, when he died several years ago. See, for whatever reason, he couldn't stand my dad, and therefore couldn't abide being around my father's children. Even though we were (are) also my mother's-his daughter's-children. When he died, I wept for all of those things as well. In fact, I'm crying even as I type this. After this chapter, I'm literally having to pull my emotions together in order to continue reading.
-I'm glad I read this. I don't know that I'll read it again, simply because it's so heavy, but I'm glad I read it. It was interesting to see WW2 from the home front perspective. I'd never thought about where the land came from before. This is a book that I will recommend my children read in high school. I think it'll take me a little bit to get over this one.
*I was given this ebook from NetGalley for review. Opinions are my own*
-Oh goodness. Just finished chapter one and am already all choked up. This isn't going to be a light read.
-Trinity. Since it's a military base, no drones are allowed to fly over it, so I didn't see any pictures. Here's the description, directly from the book:
"A sea of green glass in the middle of the desert, frozen against the shallow depression of its earthly container.
She had never seen anything so beautiful-or so terrible-in her life."
Apparently, it was bulldozed under later.
-This is a HEAVY book. I've had to stop reading many times to just breathe. I wouldn't say it's dark, but it definitely isn't a bright, happy read.
-Oh my. When Jo goes to her father in the hospital and weeps "for the things that were, the things that should have been, and the things that never could be. For so much wasted time." I can so relate to this. It's very similar to what I went through with my maternal grandfather, when he died several years ago. See, for whatever reason, he couldn't stand my dad, and therefore couldn't abide being around my father's children. Even though we were (are) also my mother's-his daughter's-children. When he died, I wept for all of those things as well. In fact, I'm crying even as I type this. After this chapter, I'm literally having to pull my emotions together in order to continue reading.
-I'm glad I read this. I don't know that I'll read it again, simply because it's so heavy, but I'm glad I read it. It was interesting to see WW2 from the home front perspective. I'd never thought about where the land came from before. This is a book that I will recommend my children read in high school. I think it'll take me a little bit to get over this one.
*I was given this ebook from NetGalley for review. Opinions are my own*
August 26, 2022
The men had sent the cloud up, forgetting that it had to come down somewhere. It seeped into every grain of sand, every molecule of air, every nerve of their bodies and beat of their hearts.
Olive and Jo were teenagers when the first nuclear test was set off in the New Mexico desert. The test, code name Trinity, would go on to affect the people in the surrounding towns for decades to come. In this new release from Jennifer L. Wright (If It Rains), we see the event from two vantage points: 1945 and 1952. Olive's family own a local ranch while Jo's father is with the army unit assigned to the test. We see the days up to and including July 16, 1945, through the eyes of Olive. The 1952 events are through the eyes of Jo. This story explores the realities of Soviet espionage during the Manhattan Project as well as some of the outward effects on the locals. The Trinity test also caused internal, spiritual damage. As our two narrators struggle against bitterness and despair, they help each other find redemption in the eternal Trinity. Grounded in the One who works all things according to His purpose for the good of His children.
Thank you to Tyndale House and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Olive and Jo were teenagers when the first nuclear test was set off in the New Mexico desert. The test, code name Trinity, would go on to affect the people in the surrounding towns for decades to come. In this new release from Jennifer L. Wright (If It Rains), we see the event from two vantage points: 1945 and 1952. Olive's family own a local ranch while Jo's father is with the army unit assigned to the test. We see the days up to and including July 16, 1945, through the eyes of Olive. The 1952 events are through the eyes of Jo. This story explores the realities of Soviet espionage during the Manhattan Project as well as some of the outward effects on the locals. The Trinity test also caused internal, spiritual damage. As our two narrators struggle against bitterness and despair, they help each other find redemption in the eternal Trinity. Grounded in the One who works all things according to His purpose for the good of His children.
Thank you to Tyndale House and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 2, 2022
What if everything you believe about a certain day and it’s events were completely wrong. Jo left town when she was 16 and her father told her not to come back. She only returned to tell her dying father that she will never forgive him.
What she finds is a story she knew nothing about.
Set in a mixture of the end of WWII and the Korean War, it focuses on the nuclear bomb testing in New Mexico. Yet it is so much more than that. It is a story of two teen trying to find their way in the world while all around them things are happening they would never understand.
Well written, Wright captures the time period so well. She makes you want to learn more not only the history of the time but also about Jo and Olive’s story.
I highly recommend this title, Jennifer Wright is definitely an author to watch.
What she finds is a story she knew nothing about.
Set in a mixture of the end of WWII and the Korean War, it focuses on the nuclear bomb testing in New Mexico. Yet it is so much more than that. It is a story of two teen trying to find their way in the world while all around them things are happening they would never understand.
Well written, Wright captures the time period so well. She makes you want to learn more not only the history of the time but also about Jo and Olive’s story.
I highly recommend this title, Jennifer Wright is definitely an author to watch.
January 3, 2023
I literally just finished the best book of 2022, on the last day of 2022!!
I don’t remember how I heard about this book, and by the time I got around to reading it I had completely forgotten what it was supposed to be about. So I went in to this book completely “blind,” which is always fun. Turns out, the book is about events surrounding WW2, specifically the atomic bomb testing in New Mexico - a subject I knew nothing about.
The book alternates perspectives (Olive and Jo) and timelines (1945 and 1952). At first the story is pretty confusing. Both girls are full of angst and something terrible has happened. What I liked most about the book is how the author reveals what has happened bit by bit. So there’s a mystery aspect, that definitely had me trying to figure out what was going on.
Another thing I liked about this book was the excellent writing of feelings. At first I wasn’t so sure about all the feelings, but then I realized that the more I read, the more I felt like I could truly FEEL each character’s emotions, without being overwhelmed by them. Some books are written without describing much feeling, and come across rather stiff and stale. Some books describe the feelings way too much or they describe the same things over and over (teeth, eyes, appearance, etc). I felt this author did an excellent job using her descriptions to really draw me into the story and feel just what her characters were feeling.
And on top of all that, this was just a good story. Loved the message of this book. People make mistakes but God is so much bigger. True freedom is found in following Him and trusting Him with the things that don’t make sense, not in trying to hurt those who hurt you.
I don’t remember how I heard about this book, and by the time I got around to reading it I had completely forgotten what it was supposed to be about. So I went in to this book completely “blind,” which is always fun. Turns out, the book is about events surrounding WW2, specifically the atomic bomb testing in New Mexico - a subject I knew nothing about.
The book alternates perspectives (Olive and Jo) and timelines (1945 and 1952). At first the story is pretty confusing. Both girls are full of angst and something terrible has happened. What I liked most about the book is how the author reveals what has happened bit by bit. So there’s a mystery aspect, that definitely had me trying to figure out what was going on.
Another thing I liked about this book was the excellent writing of feelings. At first I wasn’t so sure about all the feelings, but then I realized that the more I read, the more I felt like I could truly FEEL each character’s emotions, without being overwhelmed by them. Some books are written without describing much feeling, and come across rather stiff and stale. Some books describe the feelings way too much or they describe the same things over and over (teeth, eyes, appearance, etc). I felt this author did an excellent job using her descriptions to really draw me into the story and feel just what her characters were feeling.
And on top of all that, this was just a good story. Loved the message of this book. People make mistakes but God is so much bigger. True freedom is found in following Him and trusting Him with the things that don’t make sense, not in trying to hurt those who hurt you.
August 24, 2022
Jennifer Wright has delivered another winner! Absolutely 5 stars plus. I was swept away by the friendship of these two young women. The way in which their story unfolded and the details revealed was magnificent. The author’s writing beautifully captured the depth and frailty of the human spirit. Wright skillfully portrays the all too common struggles of bitterness, anger and trying to make sense of life’s circumstances. As the characters searched for God during devastating situations, the profound lessons they learned were triumphant. Truly, such a poignant story. I can’t wait to read her next book because no matter what it is about, I’m reading it.
April 16, 2024
This is my second read by this author, and she's quickly becoming a favorite. I really enjoy her writing style and the depth in her stories.
This novel is not a light, fluffy, feel-good read, but digs into hard topics and is full of grit. It's a coming of age story, which is not usually my favorite type of stories, but this one really held my attention.
This novel is not a light, fluffy, feel-good read, but digs into hard topics and is full of grit. It's a coming of age story, which is not usually my favorite type of stories, but this one really held my attention.
April 26, 2022
First sentence: The army moved in on a Sunday.
Olive Alexander, our young teen protagonist, is angry that her family home--a ranch--is being "taken over" by the army. She'll be sent to live with her grandmother, her brother is heading overseas, and her mother (and uncle) will stay behind on the ranch to continue to oversee the ranch. She's new to town (Alamogordo, New Mexico) and starting (traditional) school for the first time. Her best chance for finding a good friend ends abruptly. Turns out the other new kid, Jo Hawthorne, is the daughter of the sergeant who has "taken over" the ranch. Jo consistently pursues a friendship; Olive resists. But these two have a LOT in common, and given enough time these two might just find a forever friendship.
Come Down Somewhere is set in New Mexico during the later years of the Second World War. The army is about to conduct a super-secret ultimately dangerous experiment that might just end the war. There are TWO narrators and two time periods. Jo Hawthorne is narrating the "present" mid 1950s storyline. Olive Alexander is narrating the "past" mid 1940s storyline. Both storylines are driven by angst and uncertainty.
Because of how the narration unfolds, there is plenty of suspense and tension in the relationship between the two women, the two narrators. One mystery being WHAT happened on the day of the test and HOW that day ultimately shaped both of them.
I would categorize Come Down Somewhere as a historical coming of age novel. Olive and Jo--in the past--are definitely struggling as they grow up during a stressful time.
It is published by a Christian publisher. But part of the angst-driven narrative is about the ups and downs of life--mentally, emotionally, spiritually. In the past storyline, Olive is ANGRY and resistant to any idea of God. God, quite frankly, doesn't exist so she insists and its how she lives her life. Jo, on the other hand, while still struggling very much with the harshness of life still holds onto her faith and views God as being her salvation. She doesn't insist that Olive share her faith. There are no conditions on her offer of friendship. In the present storyline, Jo is ANGRY and resistant to any idea of God. God deserted her in the desert (couldn't resist). Her faith, her trust, her hope in God is practically nonexistent. So part of the tension is also how did Jo come to this place in her life...and where does she go from there.
As I mentioned, there is plenty of tension and conflict in this one--in both stories. It did have a mostly unexpected twist. Well, actually several twists but not all equally unexpected. It was a good read.
Though it is Christian and though it is historical, it is NOT in anyway a romance.
Olive Alexander, our young teen protagonist, is angry that her family home--a ranch--is being "taken over" by the army. She'll be sent to live with her grandmother, her brother is heading overseas, and her mother (and uncle) will stay behind on the ranch to continue to oversee the ranch. She's new to town (Alamogordo, New Mexico) and starting (traditional) school for the first time. Her best chance for finding a good friend ends abruptly. Turns out the other new kid, Jo Hawthorne, is the daughter of the sergeant who has "taken over" the ranch. Jo consistently pursues a friendship; Olive resists. But these two have a LOT in common, and given enough time these two might just find a forever friendship.
Come Down Somewhere is set in New Mexico during the later years of the Second World War. The army is about to conduct a super-secret ultimately dangerous experiment that might just end the war. There are TWO narrators and two time periods. Jo Hawthorne is narrating the "present" mid 1950s storyline. Olive Alexander is narrating the "past" mid 1940s storyline. Both storylines are driven by angst and uncertainty.
Because of how the narration unfolds, there is plenty of suspense and tension in the relationship between the two women, the two narrators. One mystery being WHAT happened on the day of the test and HOW that day ultimately shaped both of them.
I would categorize Come Down Somewhere as a historical coming of age novel. Olive and Jo--in the past--are definitely struggling as they grow up during a stressful time.
It is published by a Christian publisher. But part of the angst-driven narrative is about the ups and downs of life--mentally, emotionally, spiritually. In the past storyline, Olive is ANGRY and resistant to any idea of God. God, quite frankly, doesn't exist so she insists and its how she lives her life. Jo, on the other hand, while still struggling very much with the harshness of life still holds onto her faith and views God as being her salvation. She doesn't insist that Olive share her faith. There are no conditions on her offer of friendship. In the present storyline, Jo is ANGRY and resistant to any idea of God. God deserted her in the desert (couldn't resist). Her faith, her trust, her hope in God is practically nonexistent. So part of the tension is also how did Jo come to this place in her life...and where does she go from there.
As I mentioned, there is plenty of tension and conflict in this one--in both stories. It did have a mostly unexpected twist. Well, actually several twists but not all equally unexpected. It was a good read.
Though it is Christian and though it is historical, it is NOT in anyway a romance.
April 22, 2022
I'm in the midst of that awed exhaustion a reader gets after finishing an incredible book. This is the effect Come Down Somewhere has had on me.
Beginning during World War II but set on US soil, the novel takes place in Alamogordo, New Mexico. I never knew the significance of that place. I do now. It was the site of the Trinity nuclear test, the fallout of which was much more than atomic.
Revolving around the lives of two teenage girls, Olive Alexander and Jo Hawthorne, we see war from the view of those on the American home front. Even those who are not enlisted and called up are affected. Everyone and everything is affected. Emotions are heightened, relationships are strained, allegiances are intensified.
Olive's story takes place mainly in 1944 when her family's ranch is taken over by the US Army. While her mother, uncle, and brother dutifully move into a small casita on the property, Olive is outraged--not only by the apparent apathy of her family, but because she is shuffled off to live with her grandmother sixty miles away.
Jo's story mostly chronicles her return to the area in 1952. Once God-fearing and optimistic, Life has severely challenged her faith. She's there to visit her father, Richard--Sargent Hawthorne--once the proud military leader who supervised activity on the Alexander ranch, who now lays dying, silenced by throat cancer.
Back and forth between these two timelines, we see an ebb and flow of friendship, beliefs, family, betrayal and loving sacrifice. The writing is beautiful, the characters are complex, and the story is singularly unique. This is one I will remember for a long time. I highly recommend this novel. It would make a great book club selection.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tynedale House Publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Come Down Somewhere is a winner.
Beginning during World War II but set on US soil, the novel takes place in Alamogordo, New Mexico. I never knew the significance of that place. I do now. It was the site of the Trinity nuclear test, the fallout of which was much more than atomic.
Revolving around the lives of two teenage girls, Olive Alexander and Jo Hawthorne, we see war from the view of those on the American home front. Even those who are not enlisted and called up are affected. Everyone and everything is affected. Emotions are heightened, relationships are strained, allegiances are intensified.
Olive's story takes place mainly in 1944 when her family's ranch is taken over by the US Army. While her mother, uncle, and brother dutifully move into a small casita on the property, Olive is outraged--not only by the apparent apathy of her family, but because she is shuffled off to live with her grandmother sixty miles away.
Jo's story mostly chronicles her return to the area in 1952. Once God-fearing and optimistic, Life has severely challenged her faith. She's there to visit her father, Richard--Sargent Hawthorne--once the proud military leader who supervised activity on the Alexander ranch, who now lays dying, silenced by throat cancer.
Back and forth between these two timelines, we see an ebb and flow of friendship, beliefs, family, betrayal and loving sacrifice. The writing is beautiful, the characters are complex, and the story is singularly unique. This is one I will remember for a long time. I highly recommend this novel. It would make a great book club selection.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tynedale House Publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Come Down Somewhere is a winner.
July 12, 2022
“Come Down Somewhere” is a well-researched and interesting look at WWII from the Trinity nuclear test site, a desert wasteland in New Mexico. Since it follows the lives of the two main characters, we see the war from their perspectives as young girls coming of age in crisis. However, we hear from Olive in 1944 and Jo in 1952, which puts too much distance between the girls for me to really believe and understand their friendship. I also thought that the Christian aspects of the story made it too cheesy, especially at the end.
August 26, 2022
It’s always fascinating to read a novel based on real events like this one. The author takes the story to a whole new emotional level when readers learn of this tragic event through two sixteen-year-old young ladies, dreaming of a bright future, but war changes everything.
Olive Alexander has lived on a ranch in the Jornado del Muerto region of southern New Mexico her entire life. But when WWII begins, the government seizes her family’s land for the construction of a new, top secret Army post.
Jo Hawthorne’s father is the one that went to Olive’s home and told them to evacuate, the military has taken over. We don’t know how long this will take, but we are in the middle of war, so they must comply.
This sets these two ladies on a collision course as they are in the same grade at the same school, and they go to the same church. The author explores each of these ladies struggle with faith. Olive doesn’t believe in God, and Jo has hopes of working on the mission field someday. Each struggled in their own way when life changed for everyone, the day the trinity bomb was dropped. This is a mind-blowing situation.
The story moves along, and readers meet Jo again seven years later. She’s not excited about being home, but she needed to clear up a few things, as she confronts her past.
Because readers see these tragic events through two very different, young ladies’ perspectives, we get to know them very well. I like learning about history this way, and I especially liked the author notes to readers where she talks about her research and what was real. It's interesting to learn how, Jennifer, came up with this story, and the research she did. It was intriguing to learn that the author lives near the testing sight. This is a heart-wrenching story that still has people reeling from that tragic day. If you want to learn more about this event, I highly recommend this book, which includes notes to dig deeper into the event. This would make for a lively discussion for your book club.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
Olive Alexander has lived on a ranch in the Jornado del Muerto region of southern New Mexico her entire life. But when WWII begins, the government seizes her family’s land for the construction of a new, top secret Army post.
Jo Hawthorne’s father is the one that went to Olive’s home and told them to evacuate, the military has taken over. We don’t know how long this will take, but we are in the middle of war, so they must comply.
This sets these two ladies on a collision course as they are in the same grade at the same school, and they go to the same church. The author explores each of these ladies struggle with faith. Olive doesn’t believe in God, and Jo has hopes of working on the mission field someday. Each struggled in their own way when life changed for everyone, the day the trinity bomb was dropped. This is a mind-blowing situation.
The story moves along, and readers meet Jo again seven years later. She’s not excited about being home, but she needed to clear up a few things, as she confronts her past.
Because readers see these tragic events through two very different, young ladies’ perspectives, we get to know them very well. I like learning about history this way, and I especially liked the author notes to readers where she talks about her research and what was real. It's interesting to learn how, Jennifer, came up with this story, and the research she did. It was intriguing to learn that the author lives near the testing sight. This is a heart-wrenching story that still has people reeling from that tragic day. If you want to learn more about this event, I highly recommend this book, which includes notes to dig deeper into the event. This would make for a lively discussion for your book club.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
August 21, 2022
Such an interesting read! I had no idea about all of this happening during and after WWII in New Mexico. Based on the true happenings of very secrets high level military testing happening on land in New Mexico during the war, this novel follows two girls who came from different backgrounds but both had connections to what was happening. Olive's family is falling apart. Her father died, then her uncle showed up and now her brother is different and headed off to war. Meanwhile her mother is not who she used to be and has decided to Olive needs to go live with her grandmother for now. Being used to roaming on the ranch, she now has to live in a city and attend school, which means following all of these rules and being an outcast. But Jo tries to befriend her, also newer to the school the two seem to hit it off until Olive finds out who Jo's father is and all of the anger she has tried to get past comes roaring back. After an incident at church one day, the two are forced to work together over various projects and each one does not realize they need the other. A decade later Olive has not been seen in months, and Jo is called back to this awful place trying to find the answers she has been searching for. The truth of what was really happening at that base, and the fallout years later is becoming known along with the fear of the Cold War. This was such a good novel and I had no idea this had happened. Thank you to the author for a free ebook, I also preordered this novel to have a hard copy since it is so good!
October 19, 2022
WOW! Okay... um... I need a minute. The book fog has me a little dazed at the moment. I was not quite expecting the wild ride that I just went on, and despite the fact that this was a 400 page book, I swallowed it whole in only two nights! I seriously couldn't put this thing down. I didn't know if a chapter was going to end with Olive and Jo smiling at each other, or trying to rip each other's hair out. Because Jo's narrative was 7 years after Olive's (1952 from 1944), I knew that there was something that made these girls like family (at least for a time), but the tension and the drama and the back-and-forth along with all of the other outside conflict these young ladies were having to deal with well too early for their years, made their journeys a crazy wild ride. There were so many answers I needed, and yet as things started to seem to come together, more eruptions and more drama. I don't think my heart was given a solid rest the entire time I read this book. This is an author I will FOR SURE be watching in the future and plan to read more from. After devouring her debut, I preordered this one as soon as I saw it available. Unfortunately because of life it took me a month to get to it once it arrived, but boy am I glad I finally got to it! I honestly don't think I could recommend this one enough. DEFINITELY one for my favorites list for the year. Absolutely masterful!!
September 22, 2022
This review by librarian Christine Barth was first published in the July 2022 issue of Library Journal.
The U.S. Army moved in on a Sunday—commandeering the isolated Alexander farm for a secret project in the unforgiving desert of New Mexico during World War II. Teenager Olive Alexander, awkward from years of isolated living, is sent away without explanation to live in “Rocket City,” where everything is riddled with secrets and tension.
Eight years later, Jo Hawthorne (Olive’s lone friend and the daughter of the Army sergeant who stole the Alexander family’s land) returns to Alamogordo and finds that the consequences of her father’s secret research stretch wider than anyone could have imagined. Though Jo travels to the ends of the earth, she realizes that there is nowhere far enough to outrun the all-encompassing love of God. In her sophomore novel, Wright (If It Rains) peels back the shiny veneer of the Atomic Age to reveal families between a rock and a hard place as they try to protect their loved ones.
VERDICT This is historical fiction as it is meant to be told: a glimpse (based on true events) through the eyes of people caught up in the maelstrom of world events beyond their control.
The U.S. Army moved in on a Sunday—commandeering the isolated Alexander farm for a secret project in the unforgiving desert of New Mexico during World War II. Teenager Olive Alexander, awkward from years of isolated living, is sent away without explanation to live in “Rocket City,” where everything is riddled with secrets and tension.
Eight years later, Jo Hawthorne (Olive’s lone friend and the daughter of the Army sergeant who stole the Alexander family’s land) returns to Alamogordo and finds that the consequences of her father’s secret research stretch wider than anyone could have imagined. Though Jo travels to the ends of the earth, she realizes that there is nowhere far enough to outrun the all-encompassing love of God. In her sophomore novel, Wright (If It Rains) peels back the shiny veneer of the Atomic Age to reveal families between a rock and a hard place as they try to protect their loved ones.
VERDICT This is historical fiction as it is meant to be told: a glimpse (based on true events) through the eyes of people caught up in the maelstrom of world events beyond their control.
August 30, 2022
I was incredibly engaged in this story. Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L. Wright is an impressive coming of age story about two young women during the Trinity nuclear bomb test in 1945.
Olive Alexander, 16, has spent her entire life on her family's ranch. When the Army seizes their land for a secret project, her Mother and Uncle are allowed to stay in a guest house to continue to farm, while she is banished to her grandmother's sixty miles away. "And I sure as anything didn't want to hear the words eminent domain again. The goverment kept using them over and over. As if naming a thing made it right." At school she makes a friend in Jo Hawthorne until she learns Jo's father is Army and living at her ranch.
Author Jennifer L. Wright's skill in research and writing is evident in this touching story. Shining a spotlight on the horror from a devasting piece of our WWII history in New Mexico, and weaving in a poignant story of abandonment and forgiveness.
I highly recommend Come Down Somewhere! Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for allowing me to read an early copy through Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
Olive Alexander, 16, has spent her entire life on her family's ranch. When the Army seizes their land for a secret project, her Mother and Uncle are allowed to stay in a guest house to continue to farm, while she is banished to her grandmother's sixty miles away. "And I sure as anything didn't want to hear the words eminent domain again. The goverment kept using them over and over. As if naming a thing made it right." At school she makes a friend in Jo Hawthorne until she learns Jo's father is Army and living at her ranch.
Author Jennifer L. Wright's skill in research and writing is evident in this touching story. Shining a spotlight on the horror from a devasting piece of our WWII history in New Mexico, and weaving in a poignant story of abandonment and forgiveness.
I highly recommend Come Down Somewhere! Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for allowing me to read an early copy through Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
Read
November 9, 2025It grabbed my attention from the beginning. Intense. Such build up. Did pique my interest in this aspect of the atomic bomb testing/Trinity/New Mexico and the lasting effects. And then the attempt at a scriptural Trinity tie in?? Didn't so much work for me.
The ending left me feeling ... I dunno. Questions remain.
pg 56-57 Just who were all these people singing to? And why? What did God want with their weak, pitiful song? It was silly at best, an insult at worst.
Because a good God wouldn't LET wars happen. No, Grandma's God couldn't be real. Because if He was, then it meant He sure didn't care too much about us. About me.
.... the words Abide In Me near His Head. How can you abide in a person?
pg 75 for years those words had bubbled inside her. If felt like she'd waited a lifetime for a change to say them
Anger filled that empty place inside, its presence comforting and familiar. Anger was strong. Anger was easier
pg 157 In their rush to send up the bomb and end the war, they didn't take the time to think about what would come afterward. The damage it might leave behind.
pg 346-7 ???
The ending left me feeling ... I dunno. Questions remain.
pg 56-57 Just who were all these people singing to? And why? What did God want with their weak, pitiful song? It was silly at best, an insult at worst.
Because a good God wouldn't LET wars happen. No, Grandma's God couldn't be real. Because if He was, then it meant He sure didn't care too much about us. About me.
.... the words Abide In Me near His Head. How can you abide in a person?
pg 75 for years those words had bubbled inside her. If felt like she'd waited a lifetime for a change to say them
Anger filled that empty place inside, its presence comforting and familiar. Anger was strong. Anger was easier
pg 157 In their rush to send up the bomb and end the war, they didn't take the time to think about what would come afterward. The damage it might leave behind.
pg 346-7 ???
September 12, 2024
Another brilliant book by Jennifer L. Wright! I could not put it down!
I’ll be honest, I purchased this book when it came out two years ago, and then constantly pushed it aside to read other things. I was a bit nervous about the darkness/sadness of the topic, but now I wish I had read it long ago. It was sooooo good!
The way she jumps between 1944 and 1952 ramps up the tension instead of distracts from the story, and the theology was wonderful. I enjoyed so much the explorations of how different people react to God in wartime and tragedy. It is a love letter to our Father God and the belief that He brings light into our darkest places. He is always on the move, even when we think He isn’t. Joe and Olive’s story brilliantly shows this truth without being overly preachy or slowing down the story.
If you like WWII, read it! If like me, it makes you sad, read it anyway. There is so much hope in these pages that even the tragedy of loss and war cannot overshadow it.
I’ll be honest, I purchased this book when it came out two years ago, and then constantly pushed it aside to read other things. I was a bit nervous about the darkness/sadness of the topic, but now I wish I had read it long ago. It was sooooo good!
The way she jumps between 1944 and 1952 ramps up the tension instead of distracts from the story, and the theology was wonderful. I enjoyed so much the explorations of how different people react to God in wartime and tragedy. It is a love letter to our Father God and the belief that He brings light into our darkest places. He is always on the move, even when we think He isn’t. Joe and Olive’s story brilliantly shows this truth without being overly preachy or slowing down the story.
If you like WWII, read it! If like me, it makes you sad, read it anyway. There is so much hope in these pages that even the tragedy of loss and war cannot overshadow it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews