Come Down Somewhere had all the elements of a perfect historical fiction read. It was compelling, interesting, and shed light on a part of history that I wasn’t much familiar with so in turn taught me a lot and gave me much to walk away with. The author’s writing was engaging and the pacing was perfect, keeping me turning the pages right from the start of this dual timeline story. Sometimes with dual timelines one or the other can lag and you find yourself rushing to that one timeline again, but that surely wasn’t the case here as I equally enjoyed both. I really loved getting to know the characters here and found them relatable and believable, which is huge to me in a story! Another win for me was the strong sense of place. The New Mexico desert setting really came to life on the pages and made for an atmospheric backdrop. One last thing of note here was the faith element which was subtle and not sickeningly overdone yet definitely had its place and wound beautifully into the threads of the plot. I just absolutely loved it! This is a story of friendship and family, lies and overcoming was just so well done and is one I highly recommend! Whether a huge fan of historical fiction as I am, or maybe someone who is looking to slowly ease into the genre, I think this is the perfect book to pick up and has a whole lot to offer! It’s definitely one I will be thinking about for time to come.

Many thanks to Tyndale House and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy!

This is my first Wright story and gosh it’s brilliant. Told in alternating POVs, Jo in 1944/45 and Olive in 1952, we discover how these two became friends through being thrust together as the ‘newbies’ at school and how both are significantly impacted by rejection by their respective families. And how their lives were to be forever linked because of their similar suffering plus the trauma of a significant event that precipitated their being rejection.

At times, it was a difficult story to read because the two young ladies were mostly angry and bitter due to being shunned by their families. Olive, initially is a bright chirpy teen, who is passionate about God and desperately wants Jo to enjoy the faith she experiences. But Jo, having been kicked out of home, is having none of it and initially, doesn’t want to have anything to do with Olive. But circumstances and Olive’s continual kindness begins to break down Jo’s fortress of anger.

There’s a wonderful line late in the story, thought by Jo, that so sums up how both young ladies in some way experienced their suffering: “She’d been too angry, too full of her own hatred to allow space for the truth.” (p274)

One might question how a story with two angry young ladies could be interesting, let alone brilliant. A lot had to do with Wright’s crafting of the story and her ability to build depth and complexity in Jo and Olive, that made the story so compelling. I developed such empathy for both of their situations I hoped they would discover ‘the truth’ and be able to reconcile what happened to them both in different circumstances in 1945.

Besides the wonderfully realistic character portrayals, Wright takes us back to the sparseness and harshness of life in New Mexico at that time. She gives us a tremendous firsthand description of life for the ‘farm girl’ Jo and the ‘army brat Olive’. I’ve never read a book set in New Mexico so it was a new experience for me.

The Trinity project plays a significant role in this story. It’s a haunting presence that we Jo and Olive can’t escape, however, for much of the story, they are oblivious as to why. I won’t say anything more about it fearing spoilers, but I appreciated the history lesson on an event that I didn’t appreciate occurred (I thought the US just went ‘live’ without a test) and the ensuing devastation it left in its wake for decades. Not to mention, the intimate experience both Jo and Olive had with it.

I can understand why some reviewers may feel a major a plot revelation at the end came without much foreknowledge, but I was happy to simply accept Wright’s rationale.

I also appreciated the faith element. Both ladies grappled with God and their faith which was understandable. And I enjoyed how Wright drew this out through the story. Olive started out as the evangelical only to become a doubter while Jo was angry with God from the outset and didn’t really want anything to do with Him for much of the story. But as is God’s way He gently worked His way into Jo’s life and I thought both characters faith journeys were well portrayed.

I’m looking forward to reading more of this author’s work.

I feel blessed to have received an early ebook version of the story from the publisher via NetGalley but this had no bearing on my review.

A really interesting and compelling story about bombs and nuclear testing. But even more so, the tale of families, friends and lies. Intriguing and well paced

When it comes to historical reads, stories set during or around the time of WWII tend to be my favorites. As such, I really had high expectations for this story. Unfortunately though, for whatever reason I really had a difficult time connecting with this story. Honestly, I couldn't say that there was any particular reason for that... sometimes that simply happens. The writing was fantastic and certainly did a great job of bringing the characters to life. I felt like the characters were full of depth and done very well... so again, it didn't seem like it was anything about the writing at all that caused the disconnect for me.

Though I might have connected with this particular story myself, that doesn't mean other readers will not. I think those who enjoy WWII fiction should definitely read it and decide for themselves. I will personally still be looking forward to trying out more from the author!

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

I was absolutely fascinated by the setting as the Jornada del Muerto in New Mexico was a place I knew nothing about. I also loved the alternating timelines of 1945 during WWII and 1952 during the dawn of the Cold War, as well as the beautiful coming of age story that springs up amidst such a desolate backdrop. Olive and Jo were obviously meant to be sisters and it’s so sneaky how God brings them to that point. The whole story reveals itself in snippets and pieces, so if you’re a timeline purist this one may not be for you. But if you enjoy dual timelines, subtle reminders of God’s presence, and obscure moments in history, this is definitely one that you won’t want to miss!

Come Down Somewhere is Jennifer L. Wright's second novel, and I am happy to have discovered her work early in her career as it means I will not miss out on her future novels. This book is one you will want all of your book-loving friends to read. It is not your typical WW II novel as it is set in New Mexico. Wright follows the lives of two young women, their families, and their evolving friendship as the United States plans for and carries out the first test of a nuclear weapon in the Jornada del Muerto desert in New Mexico. Come Down Somewhere is proof that not all great novels have a happily ever after.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Wow. Wow, wow, wow.

This book is So. Good.

I loved the unique dual-time component; the two timelines were only about 10 years apart, compared to the generations or centuries I'm used to--a nice change. Further, they switched between first- and third-person narrative, which helped keep the POV, plot, and setting straight.

I also loved both eras: mid- to end-WWII + early Cold War in New Mexico. It frankly brought "National Treasure 2" to life a bit in a new way; I kept picturing Riley Poole and his treasure-hunting escapades, though he focused more on Area 51 versus the Trinity project. (I still wish his book, and the president's book for that matter, was a real thing, and wonder what he would say about Trinity. But I digress.)

Wright does a fantastic job at fleshing out both timelines and characters, whether they appear more in one timeline than another (or cross over). I literally had no idea how the two timelines would connect, let alone resolve, and she managed both brilliantly. The fact that romance (such as it was) played a very secondary, if downright tertiary, role was a refreshing change from my typical read, especially during summertime.

I learned a ton about, well, a ton in this book. Subtle references to the Rosenbergs brought "You've Got Mail" to mind (along with "the world's greatest living expert on Julius and Ethel Rosenberg," because clearly I have not seen this movie enough times), and prompted me to dig a little into other notable and/or infamous names of the day. Wright helpfully included some recommended reads at the end of the book, which I'm eager to check out.

An excellent read on an era I'd love to see covered more in fiction.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Jennifer L. Wright has written a coming-of-age story that will captivate readers of historical fiction. In the story of Olive and Jo's unlikely friendship, we see a glimpse of the far-reaching, long-lasting effects of war - not just on nations, but on communities, families, and individuals. The Trinity nuclear test was something I had never read about, and it made for a compelling story, both for the historical aspect and the way Ms. Wright shaped the characters' lives and stories around it. This beautifully-written story of friendship, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness is one that will stay with you long after the final page. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read whatever Ms. Wright writes next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A story of friendship that is found in loss, this WWII era novel takes place in New Mexico during the Trinity nuclear bomb test. This coming of age story is told in a duel timeline between 1945 and 1952.

After being forced to go live with her grandmother when the army takes over her beloved ranch home, Olive has to grow up fast and accept new realities. She meets Jo and together they find themselves in a unusual and at times, broken friendship. Both girls were suffering familial loss and grief, and as the author put it "when life gouges a hold in your heart, sometimes an unexpected someone can rush forth to fill it".

I found the historical details to be very interesting about the bomb testing and the after effects, especially.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

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.

A captivating Christian historical fiction novel of two girls Olive Alexander and Jo Hawthorne during the time of Roosevelt and the Trinity nuclear bomb test in 1945. Olive's father dies seven years ago in a farming accident. His brother, Olive's Uncle Hershel moves into the ranch house since then along with her brother Avery. Soon the Army takes her ranch house and the big house is no longer their own. The Alexander ranch was spilt into three parts during the project, the part of the land requisitioned for the test, part with the house - leased by the army to house construction crew and the smallest part left over for the family to use. Olive was not happy that she had to sacrifice by relocating to Alamogordo, because of war efforts while her mother and Uncle Hershel got to stay. She was not angry with the army but everybody else for pushing her out and treating her like a toddler rather than a useful part of the family. The US army promised that when the war and the government is done they would give the land back eventually. Every memory she had of her father, her life and family centered around the ranch that is her home, in New Mexico.

Still in 1945, Almogordo was called the Rocket city - Jo Hawthorne comes to this podunk town in the middle of New Mexico. This place was the epicenter of the future where it was the Hollowman Air Force and the New Mexico Joint Guided Missile Test Range is based. Tearfully, this place had marked an end of Jo Hawthorne's life. Meanwhile, Olive meets Jo Hawthorne where in school their paths meet. Olive didn't like attending classes living in Alamorgodo. Jo lived in with her Grandma back in California where her mother died when she was a baby. Olive gets angry to Jo Hawthorne blaming her father Army Sergeant for prancing onto their family land saying it's legal. Olive felt awful and offended to come and stay with her own grandmother to take away the financial burden. Therefore, she stays in Delaware Avenue vowing never to return to Alamogordo High. Olive and her family never went to church whereas Jo Hawthorne was a church attending girl. Olive felt homeless, an outcast, this sheer contempt, hurt, rejection and hatred for Jo Hawthorne. Life becomes bitter and anger for Jo Hawthorne as she learns her father is suffering from cancer, it wasn't just her father, Olive Alexander was a part of it too.

Jennifer L Wright captures the two teenage girl's Christian friendship and life situations of the characters around the WW2 war very well. Based on many aspects of the pages are true this is a must interesting and emotional read for historical novel fans.

I just reviewed the novel Come Down Somewhere by Jennifer L Wright. Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for an advance copy for my honest review.

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/

Set in Southern New Mexico, this dual timeline Christian Historical Fiction takes place in 1945 and 1952 and is narrated alternatively by Olive Alexander and Jo Hawthorne. Though the characters are fictionalized, the author was inspired to write about the true events of the Trinity nuclear bomb test and its aftermath, something as a Canadian I am ashamed to say I knew nothing about. Not only is this a coming of age story about friendship it is also about family and riddled with angst, sorrow, shame, regret, love and hope. Both firm and wavering faith in God are threads throughout.

In 1945 Olive's home and land are seized by the government to use as a top secret Army post. Sixteen-year-old Olive's life is shattered by this (and other factors) so she moves in with her grandmother. She starts a new school and also meets Jo whose father is instrumental in her home seizure. Needless to say their relationship has a rocky start. But theirs is not the only relationship highlighted in the story. Some loyalties remain, others shift. The bomb test repercussions are dreadful and tear lives apart.

Jennifer Wright writes gorgeously and captures the teenaged angst which envelops as thickly as a blanket. This is not a feel-good story but rather causes the reader to reflect and ponder. Several subplots are seamlessly intertwined. There is a lot happening but in a way it doesn't seem like it as layer after layer is exposed at just the right time, something which leaves me in awe. I love that the characters are flawed and real, Christian or not. The special symbol of Olive and her brother reminds me of another bond, too, closer than a brother.

Christian Historical Fiction fans ought to add this book to their reading list, especially those who wish to learn about a little-known event in American history.

My sincere thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this beautiful book.

I enjoyed going back and forth between the narrators' perspectives and timelines and learning a part of American history that I had not explored before. Wright does an excellent job of writing about complex family relationships without sugarcoating and keeps the reader intrigued at a reasonable pace and plot twists. This is a good book for anyone exploring their faith around difficult life situations.

Jennifer L. Wright’s second novel, Come Down Somewhere had a mysterious enough title that drew me to read the book. Once the story completed and I read the Author Notes—which I highly recommend—the title has even greater meaning.

Come Down Somewhere is a well-researched and thought-provoking look at WWII from a different perspective—within the borders of America. While there is no undermining the horrors of the Holocaust or the casualties from all sides of the war, America created its own abhorrent event—the Trinity nuclear testing.

But this story is about two teenagers and families who have their own battles. Olive—forced from her home by the military—and Jo, whose father played a role in Olive’s forced move. Their journey to friendship is fragile and extraordinary. The dual timeline alternates between the mid-forties and early fifties—before and after the Trinity event—and serves as a device to develop the relationship between the girls as teenagers and then adults.

Wright’s writing flowed with style and emotion. The faith journey for the young women was just as volatile as that period. With powerful insights into humanity—the good and the bad—Come Down Somewhere is a must read. I highly recommend, especially for high schoolers.

I received a complementary eBook copy of the book from Tyndale through #NetGalley for my honest review.

Intriguing dual timeline story set in New Mexico. Both Olive and Jo's families held secrets from the girls. It was interesting to see how they handled things during this trying time. Faith was so important to Jo and Olive being consumed with angry highlights her lack of faith. The incident was a turning point for both girls. Supense heightens as the secrets are slowly revealed as well as the incident. Recommended.

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 high school. 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. Wright's gift of expression in writing and her engrossing story will take up residence in your heart and mind for weeks afterwards. Her 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.

Come Down Somewhere is an exquisite novel – combination of intriguing story, true-to-life characters, complex relationships, and authentic historic backdrop resulting in an atmospheric page-turner. This is a dual timeline story and I liked that the time gap was less than 10 years – where books of this type are typically much more. I loved both main characters Jo and Olive but in different ways. Olive’s story had interesting grandmother/mother/daughter issues. Jo’s character had the most change and ultimate character growth. There were a few plot points that felt slightly unbelievable but it all fit together for the sake of a great story and satisfying conclusion. I appreciated the authors notes at the end making clear what is purely fiction and what elements are from history as well as the quote that led to the title of the book (I didn’t get it before but now think it’s a brilliant title). After finishing I immediately went to see what I could learn about the real-life events surrounding the key historic event in the story. I loved the authors first book, Bring Down the Rain, and now after reading this one I will preorder any future books by Jennifer L. Wright. Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for the early copy to read and review.

I really liked this interesting perspective of WWII and. The Trinity testing it was a good overall experience and I learned a lot . It was an enjoyable read .
Thanks for letting me review this book to Netgalley and the publisher

“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.