BOOK REVIEW: Atomic Love by Jennie Fields

 Atomic Love by Jennie Fields is a complex character-driven historical novel AND a page-turning thrill to read. I enjoyed a previous book by this author, The Age of Desire, so was looking forward to this one. I loved it even more than The Age of Desire.

Rosalind Porter is the heroine of the novel. A brilliant young physicist, she was the only female scientist to work on the Manhattan Project, a role she came to regret after the bomb was dropped. She was interested in atomic energy for its potential role in non-weapon applications, and had believed the bomb would only be used as a deterrent. She has since left the world of science and works as a salesclerk in a jewelry store.

Guilt over the bomb is not the only thing that drove her from science. While working with the Manhattan Project, she fell in love with one of her coworkers, Thomas Weaver. They had a torrid affair. Initially supportive when she fell into a depression, he suddenly reversed course and dumped her flat. Worse, he wrote a report to their superiors condemning her instability. She hates him now. Sort of.

It’s now five years later, and Weaver is reaching out to her. She refuses to see him and his persistence is distressing.

Then, she is approached by an FBI agent, Charlie Szydlo, who has reason to suspect Weaver may be selling secrets to the Russians. He encourages her to reconnect with Weaver and find out what she can.

Charlie is an extraordinarily complex man. He was captured by the Japanese and spent time in a prison camp where he was tortured. He has PTSD and physical scars, including a ruined hand. Worse, the woman who was supposed to be waiting for him, a woman he loved deeply, took one look at him upon his return and broke things off. Nevertheless, he is a caring, competent, intelligent man–a much better match for Rosalind.

Rosalind and Charlie grow close during the spying. However, Rosalind’s feelings for Weaver are also reawakened.

Also, the Russian threat is real.

Beautifully written, passionate, and intense, this book is highly recommended.