Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for the ARC on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Set in Los Alamos in 1943, this historical fiction novel follows the lives of Christine, Kurt, Gertie and Kurt and the toll they face as they keep secrets from their families and the rest of the world. Gathered by the US Army to build the world's first nuclear bomb.

If you are a WWII fiction fan you will enjoy this novel. Mixing a lot of historical facts and fictional events. I enjoyed this novel.

A great historical novel which gives an insight into life in Los Alamos and impact of living life under extreme secrecy while the atomic bomb was developed. The development of each character allows you to see how they question and adapt to the conditions they are living in. The end of the book hinted at how each viewed the enormity of what they were part of but never developed this further. Despite this I found it a really good read, providing a different insight into a well-trodden topic.

A deep and sad, but triumphant story of two families trying to live with the war and secrets around Los Alamos at the heart of the Manhattan Project.

I was excited about this book when I saw it. I thought it would be intriguing to learn more about this piece of history, especially after having watched the recent movie Oppenheimer. In the end I did not enjoy the amount of emotional drama that I felt like the book was more about.
The first third of the book was slow setting up the characters and location, but then the rest of the book just felt to me like sexual and emotional drama. One young adult character discovered his desires were homosexual instead of for the girl that was falling in love with him. Another couple was having an extramarital affair and even said that their emotional attachment was good for their individual marriages before mostly breaking it off. Then another character struggled with depression and even attempted suicide. Someone asked for assisted euthanasia. Then the book ended with the knowledge that the affair had resulted in a baby despite them determining to remain with their respective spouses.
Honestly, I probably would not have finished the book had I not been given the opportunity to read this as an advanced copy and I wanted to write an honest review of my opinion on the book.

"Hill of Secrets" by Galina Vromen is set in Los Alamos, New Mexico during World War II, where scientists are working on the top-secret Manhattan Project to create the atomic bomb. The novel follows several characters, including Christine, a woman who sacrifices her art restoration business to be with her husband, a scientist; Gertie, a curious and mature 16-year-old daughter of a German Jewish refugee physicist; Jimmy, a young army technician who falls for Gertie; and Kurt and Sarah, Gertie's parents, who are haunted by their past.
I was impressed by the author's ability to craft complex, flawed characters that are relatable and realistic. Christine's struggles to cope with her husband's increasing aloofness and her feelings of inadequacy were particularly well-portrayed. Gertie's teenage angst and curiosity were spot on, and I loved watching her grow and develop throughout the story.
The novel is not just about the characters, though - it's also about the secrets they keep and the consequences of those secrets. The setting is richly detailed, and I loved learning about the daily lives of the scientists and their families as they worked on the project.
The writing is excellent, with a smooth narrative that keeps you engaged. The characters' emotions are palpable, and the author does an amazing job of conveying the sense of urgency and dread that pervades the story.
Overall, "Hill of Secrets" is for anyone who loves historical fiction or is interested in World War II history. It's a gripping and emotional read that keeps you turning the pages until the end.

What happens when varied people, all with their own personal troubles, converge in an unfamiliar location for a hidden purpose, especially when the government imposes a code of silence? In Vromen’s twisty, infectiously readable debut, secrets are simmering within Los Alamos, New Mexico, in 1943, and the Manhattan Project’s development is just one of them. An art restorer with a chemistry background, Christine Sharp is a trailing spouse who feels sidelined and neglected after relocating to support her PhD scientist husband. Seeking distraction, she befriends 16-year-old ingénue Gertie Koppel, the daughter of German Jewish refugees. While Gertie’s physicist father Kurt loyally serves America in Los Alamos’ Tech Area, his wife Sarah, a movingly three-dimensional character, ruminates on difficult memories. With young love, a clandestine affair, intense guilt, and suppressed yearnings circulating in this high-pressure environment, the story line is highly dramatic, and some aspects are far-fetched. Still, the novel offers more than soap-opera fare for Oppenheimer fans. By the sobering conclusion, readers will be left pondering the characters’ ethical dilemmas, which defy easy answers. (Reviewed for Booklist, 6/15/24)

Wow - this is an eye opener of a story based on the truth about the development of the atom bomb. I realise that the main characters and their lives and conversations, are fictional but the setting and some of the support cast are historical reality. I'd like to think that if this were to be proposed both as an idea or as a way to go about such experiments today (ie with the families including children, living so near), we, at least in the western world, would reassess and take a u turn. However, this did happen and some of the consequences are clear towards the end of the book. All became so horrific, I wanted to stop reading but then I just needed to be with them all to the end. A story which needs to be told. In my opinion, this is a book which should be added to reading lists for those studying in later teenage years. Shocking, yes but very thought provoking.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for this advanced copy.

I pre-ordered it. Vromen puts you right in the place, mind, and setting of the historically-relevant characters who built the atomic bomb. She writes about the everyday lives of the residents of Los Alamos with nuance and care while exploring themes of infidelity, queerness, moral injury, and secrets.

It’s clear Vromen spent time understanding the science. She writes about physics and chemistry in a way that helped me truly understand the significance of building such a powerful weapon. Her depictions of sex and love are skillfully crafted to engross you in the attraction of the people involved without reducing it to gimmicky filler.

The dialogue is authentic, her descriptions of the desert landscape are vivid, and she captures the mystifying energy of the American Southwest as it was back and then and continues to be now.

A historical fiction novel set in WWII times, this story follows multiple characters’ perspectives as they navigate challenges of living through wartime secrets working at Los Alamos Laboratory under Dr. Oppenheimer.

I think the setting and timeline of this story will particularly appeal to fans of WWII history fiction, especially after last summer’s Oppenheimer movie. There are several characters that have compelling storylines, and there’s certainly enough suspense created both by what we as the readers know about the timeline as well as the climax of the story to draw in the reader.

While the premise of the characters was compelling, unfortunately for me the building of their story fell flat. I found myself rereading pages wondering if I accidentally missed something as I read what a character was doing or saying but was actually just the plot moving forward. It felt jolting to me, and unfortunately I had a hard time following the timeline of the story whilst jumping between characters’ perspectives. I wish some of these details and “middle points” had been fleshed out more. I think creating more believable dialogues would have helped the buy-in of the relationships between characters.

There were also several themes present in this book - identity as a refugee, “right” versus “wrong” relationships, infertility, young love, wartime morality… I especially appreciated the author’s note explaining this more in depth - showing great care and intentionality in research! - but I actually think some of the power in communicating themes was lost in trying to cover so many. I wonder if creating this book as a series where we follow different characters more in depth and read the unique challenges they face would have helped both the believability and buy-in to the characters?

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for proving this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Publication Date: October 1, 2024

Set in Los Alamos during WWII, Hill of Secrets explores the lives of the families of the scientists working on the atomic bomb. While the men grapple with the knowledge of the destruction their “gadget” can cause, their wives and children are left to make sense of their uprooted lives. They’re given strict orders to not ask any questions. As the lives of the residents of Los Alamos are intertwined, more and more secrets must be kept from each other. This debut novel poses the question, is ignorance bliss?

This novel was captivating from the start. The author did a great job of setting up the characters making me want to know more about them right away. There was a good amount of character development and I like that the perspective from so many people gave a fuller picture of the experience at the outpost. The downside to focusing on so many characters seemed to be that details were left out. Some characters’ thoughts or actions seemed out of the blue at times.

Overall, I loved the themes of the book and getting a different kind of WWII novel than we are used to seeing. I look forward to reading more from Galina Vromen.

A WWII novel centring a disparate group of individuals sent to live in Los Alamos, New Mexico during the top-secret Manhattan Project.

This was an interesting read that delves into the inner experiences, everyday dramas and banalities of life for a community thrust into a secretive, unfamiliar environment. The accessible writing style and tension maintained throughout make the story easy to finish quite quickly, and the characters go through so many ups and downs that keep you turning the page.

The novel’s multiple perspectives provide close insight into its flawed characters’ inner workings and motivations, exploring 20th century gender roles, the isolating refugee experience, the feelings of futility and uncertainty that accompany war, and the strain of major events on people’s relationships and minds. It also touches on larger scale moral dilemmas like the hypocrisy of war and the burden of both loss and victory.

There are quite a few moments where descriptions and dialogue aren’t as authentic as they could be for a historical fiction novel, these anachronisms were somewhat distracting and made it difficult to feel fully immersed in the time and setting. At points, I’d also come across passages that needed that little more oomph to truly convey the image or feeling intended.

In terms of the plot itself, it’s certainly entertaining and has interesting characters, each of which has a distinct voice which allows the book to flow well. However, the pacing of a relationship between two central characters seems to accelerate out of nowhere in a soap opera-esque manner which leads the relationship to feel unconvincing. I simply couldn’t fully buy into it as a reader.

That being said, this novel will appeal to readers who enjoy seeing world events through the eyes of ordinary people trying, in their own different ways, to cope. Historical figures like Maria Martinez and Oppenheimer, and the ever-present, sun-baked backdrop of the American Southwest ground the novel in its historical context, while creative liberty is taken elsewhere to heighten the storyline. The author’s note providing the historical facts and a list of educational resources is also a fitting way to end a book tied to such a major historical event.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Hill of Secrets.

This was an interesting look into the lives of the families of the Los Alamos scientists. I liked the various POV's as it gave a well rounded experience for the many different people who lived at the site. The book kind of gave me a "bodice ripper" vibe in that it had a lot of historical storyline, but there was also a lot of sensual content. Overall this was a very entertaining historical romance.

Having just watched Oppenheimer, I was excited to read this one. I loved that it focused more on actual life in Los Alamos. The wives and children of the workers and scientists. Normal life with real problems and emotions. Definitely a great read.

Summary: In a desert outpost, nuclear scientists and their families face the toll of the secrets they keep from the world and from each other in this gripping wartime novel from debut author Galina Vromen.
Los Alamos, 1943. The US Army has gathered scientists to create the world’s first nuclear weapon. Their families, abruptly moved to the secret desert base with no explanation, have simple orders: Stand by. Make do. Above all, don’t ask questions.

My review: This was a multi-layered story set in Los Alamos during the creation of the atomic bomb. I loved how in depth every character was written, and how relatable they all were in some way! I particularly loved Christine’s character development. Each character was so layered and intriguing, I really enjoyed all the different dynamics at play. I am a huge historical fiction fan, so I knew I would love this, but I really enjoyed how I didn't get too bogged down with facts. Sometimes, a book can verge on nonfiction if there is too much history, but this novel has such a good balance of fictional character drama.

I loved the author's note explaining what exactly was real and what was fictitious. I would recommend this book!

Thanks to NetGalley!

First of all, the cover of this book is simply GORGEOUS. The writing is scrumptious. I hadn't thought of families living under tight surveillance in New Mexico as they worked on the most deadly weapon known to mankind and a whole new world opened up to me. I am giving this NetGalley ARC 5 stars, but would like to mention that the overuse of the nickname Oppie (instead of Oppenheimer) is extremely off-putting. Consider changing that, it seems very childish and ridiculous, belittling the otherwise nearly flawless writing.

I really enjoyed this one a lot . I love the historical aspects of the story as it relates to Los Alamos and felt that the plot was good. You can sense the raise to beat Hitler and the frenetic pace they were working at
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for review copy

Wow! What an exceptional book! I had no idea how many twists and turns would be in this book. It's about science, secrets, family, love, and sacrifice.

All of the characters resonated with me in different ways. Each one was dealing with heartache, secrets, or both. Jimmy really touched my heart. He made the ultimate sacrifice.

I loved the author's note at the end, providing more information about the history aspect. It certainly peaked my interest in learning more about the events that unfolded.

I was provided a copy of the book from Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars!

This adult historical novel is set in Los Alamos in New Mexico during the World War II where scientists were secretly preparing an atomic bomb to fight the Axis powers and bring an end to the war. It revolves around several characters.

It is only fair to start with Christine since the novel too starts with her. Following her husband Thomas to the middle of nowhere, she feels lost. Despte having given up everything to be with him, she feels underappreciated by him often. In this loneliness, she meets Gertie, a teenager, and they both form a bond. She is a complex women and becomes very unlikable later in the story. I do understand her thoughts wrt her husband but several of her actions cannot be condoned, particularly since she feels no remorse. In her pov, she tries hard to justify her actions, feeling entitled to them, not realizing the consequences and the morality. She doesn't have much of an arc after that. But I don't feel bad about that. How could she possibly have an arc after everything that happened? She does perform certain acts that make me respect her but mostly, she was an unlikable character for me. But I like that the author shaped her character like that to illustrate flawed characters who remain headstrong about their choices, for better or for worse. It shows the complexity of humans.

Let's talk about Gertie. Initially, she starts off as a seemingly mature teenager, with deep thoughts and a tenacious curiosity. But the author made sure that her age was represented properly. She still threw tantrums, was boy crazy and hormonal, as is expected of a 16yr girl. There are still things she doesn't understand. At other times, her emotional clarity shocks several adults. Overall, it was great reading her and about her.

Jimmy is a junior technician at the facility. He is an admirable character. He was a confused person. On one hand, he was dating Gertie, while unconsciously maintaining a distance. On the other hand, he was questioning his identity. His likes and preferences. N most of all, his attraction to a certain somebody.

Kurt Koppel, a Jewish immigrant and Gertie's father, is a complex man as well. There is a sadness and restlessness in him that defies sleep and keeps him forlorn. He tries to 'save' himself in an unlikable manner. I don't condone it. When he finally gains back footing, more tragedies pull the rug from under his feet. He never really has enough breathing room to completely recover.

Sarah Koppel, the wife, is forever depressed pondering over the condition of her 23 relatives she left behind in Germany. The environment around her forever seems grey and dull, which tries to suck energy from everything in its vicinity. I certainly don't blame her for it. With such devastating circumstances, it is hard to feel cheery about life. This sadness drags her down to dark roads.

I loved the author's note explaining what exactly was real and what was fictitious. She also explains her reasoning for certain creative changes.

There was never a dull moment. I was super intrigued throughout and went through a plethora of emotions. It has sadness, it has budding romance as well as the sense of loss. Despite the hubbub of activities, there is a constant dread about the situation. The alarm and the sense of urgency prevails. The family members of the scientists knew nothing about what was happening. They only knew that there were important secrets. An entire hill of secrets!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an advanced digital copy of the story.

The plot for this book is very interesting, it was very thought provoking and the balance between the fictional characters and set in the backdrop of history I enjoyed.. I admit I knew little about Openheimer and this was informative. The characters are well rounded and likeable, and the writing brought to life the landscape and surroundings. The book flowed and was a pleasure to read, and I especially liked the authors notes on which characters were real. Overall an enjoyable book.

Set in 1942, when American scientists were working on the nuclear bombs, this book explored many themes. For Christine it is giving up a lot of herself for her marriage and discovering Indian pottery. For Jimmy, it is coming to terms with his sexuality, for Sarah it is survivor guilt having left behind her family in Germany and trying to adapt to a new country and for Gertie at 16 it is about growing up and being treated as an adult. These characters are located in the secret world of the Hill, with some scientists considering the consequences of what a nuclear bomb could do. There also is the issue of what is reasonable for a government to cover up. All in all, this was a very satisfying book to read and one that will stay in my mind as I ponder these issues. If you love historical fiction based on real events as I do, then I would wholeheartedly recommend this book for you.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC to read and review.