TJR is one of those authors that can do no wrong for me in her writing - she writes it, I'll read it (and I'm 99% guaranteed to love it). With each book she writes, TJR gets more creative in her settings - from a Hollywood starlet, to a rock band, a professional tennis player and a family of surfers, I'll be honest, I did not see a female astronaut coming next! As usual, TJR hit it out of the park with this one.

Family dynamics take the forefront in this one but the relationship between Joan and Vanessa shines equally as bright.

Another absolute winner from the Queen - now don't make us wait two years for your next release!

TAYLOR IM SENDING YOU MY THERAPY BILLS!!!!

I loved every second of this book and cried through the entire last 10%. This was such a special story, and in classic TJR fashion I fell madly in love with our main character Joan. I would do anything for her.

TJR’s books are so cemented in their time periods and the characters she crafts are so perfect. You can tell how much research she puts into her work.

I will also say that I’m surprised this wasn’t marketed as a sapphic love story! I found the love story the most compelling part of the book, and although I personally loved the surprise of that, I think some readers may be turned off by it. But they’re WRONG because this book is perfect!!!!

This is up there with one of my most favorite books from Taylor Jenkins Reid! I love all things space and the author did a great job of character development and pacing as well. Highly recommend!

Oh Wow, I wasn't really sure what I was expecting because I love most of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books, except Daisy Jones and the Six, that one was not a fav. This one though wow, I loved it and I suggest anyone that has loved any of her books to read it.

We have the complicated relationship like the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and the interpersonal connections of Malibu Rising mixed with a Little Carrie Soto. I loved this so very much. Actually shedding a tear in the last very intense chapter.

I love that Taylor is able to write in a way that keeps historical value with also having some fun with the fiction. I appreciate the research that she would have put into this book in order to make it as factual as possible without taking away from the story.

Honestly just a love for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy

As always, Taylor Jenkins Reid knocks it out of the park with Atmosphere! 5/5. I ripped through this book. I love space/NASA stuff and it’s very clear TJR did her research. The same week I also finished The Calculating Stars and Fly Me to the Moon, so you can say I was having a space themed week. The relationships Joan had with Vanessa, Frances, and her fellow astronauts was so sweet and heartwarming. Her sister Barbara needs a trigger warning, she was awful. I highly recommend and can’t wait to see what TJR does next. And maybe watch Contact and Interstellar again in the meantime.

I started this book thinking "oh, a fun new Taylor Jenkins Reid book about space!" and then proceeded to spend the next 352 pages being absolutely decimated by how brilliant and romantic and devastating this book is. I was captivated by the story. I instantly connected with Joan, and it's a testament to TJR's writing that I could feel so much for characters so early on in the book, before we even really get to know them. I loved everything Joan had to say about the universe and what God is to her, how looking up into the stars is to become part of human history. Vanessa's steadfastness and love for Joan and Frances melted me, especially at the end. And man, that ending. I think I held my breath the last 15 or so pages. What a ride of emotions. No one does it quite like TJR.

I will need a moment or two to emotionally recover, and then I need, at minimum, 10 more chapters because I'm not ready to let Joan and Vanessa and Frances go yet. How could I be, with a love story like this?

This book might have dethroned Carrie Soto Is Back as my favorite TJR book and has been my favorite read of the year so far. I don't think I'll be moving on from this for a while.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀

I would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for my honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on June 3, 2025.

Let’s be honest. It never really mattered what this book was about. It was going to be an auto-read for me no matter what. It’s Taylor Jenkins Reid. However, the fact that it is set in the 80s around the space shuttle program was the cherry on top.

I loved it. That’s pretty much it. I loved it. If you’re a TJR fan, I think you’ll love it. If you’re an 80s kid, I think you’ll love it. If you simply enjoy reading, I think you’ll love it. June 3, 2025! Mark your calendars!

“Happiness is so hard to come by. I don’t understand why anyone would begrudge anyone else for managing to find some of it.”
— Taylor Jenkins Reid, Atmosphere

. I am definitely going to go need to buy a physical copy to mark up with all of the absolutely beautiful quotes that melted my heart!

📖 Book Review 📖 Taylor Jenkins Reid delivers a book that is so filled with hopes and dreams bigger than the universe that my skin was filled with goosebumps from chills before the first chapter even ended. Since the US entered the Space Race, little boys and girls have dreamed of what lies beyond Earth. Fueling these amazing missions is a thirst for knowledge and truth.

Atmosphere reminds us that behind these larger than life ambitions are women who ran so that others could walk. Reid’s protagonist Joan is a true pioneer of women in STEM whose intelligence and strength not only jumps off the page, it endearingly transfers to her niece, Frances, showcasing the neverending importance of female role models.

This story is simultaneously grounding and out of this world. Joan quickly launched into the role of my new favorite fictional character from her loyalty in, cool aunt moves, and her stellar perspective on life. Atmosphere is a propulsive addition to Reid’s already impressive collection of stunning novels; a rare hold your breath kind of masterpiece that may not come into orbit often but when it does it absolutely steals the spotlight.

Quotes that rocked my world:

“We are so determined to learn what lies beyond our grasp that we figured out how to ride a rocket out of the atmosphere.”

“To look up at the nighttime sky is to become part of a long line of people throughout human history who looked above the same set of stars. It is to witness time unfolding. That was the stuff that made her knees buckle.”

“My God, she thought, what else can I do?”

“Astronomy was history. Because space was time. And that was the thing she loved most about the universe itself.”

To my fellow cadets: buckle up and prepare for take-off, because you are certainly in for a reading experience that is out-of-this-world.
💫

The year is 1980. NASA has just started accepting women scientists into their Space Shuttle Program. This is fortunate for Joan, who has always been captivated by the stars. Upon being accepted into the program, Joan leaves her life as an astronomy professor behind and begins training full-time, among her fellow cadet class. What ensues is a transportive, emotionally stirring story about self-discovery, sacrifice, and the transformative power of love.

As someone who has always been transfixed by the stars, I knew that this story would resonate with me in a way that perhaps other books by TJR have not. I absolutely LOVED it. Even though I finished it a few weeks ago, I still struggle to articulate my thoughts, though I have not stopped thinking about it.

In terms of scope, this is perhaps TJR’s most ambitious yet, and it was masterfully done. Through extensive research, TJR was able to depict an experience that felt authentic to the challenges Joan would have faced; from the complexities of entering a historically male-dominant field, to the cumbersome trials faced by astronauts throughout their training and flight experiences. The impressive moments of scientific context were delicately interwoven with deeply emotional and human interactions. It was beautifully written, containing incredible depth through the exploration of love in its many facets.

What else? I loved our main character, Joan; she is fiercely loyal, smart, and compassionate. She is the type of person who seeks to understand and make connections with others, which I deeply resonated with. TJR surrounded Joan with a memorable cast of characters which I also grew deeply attached to.

What else? Atmosphere is propulsive, heart-wrenching, thought-provoking. It fascinates as a character study set against the backdrop of a significant moment in our world’s history. It explores not only the distance to outer space, but the emotional distances we are willing to go to for those we love.

What else? I am or may not have been a blubbering mess by the end.

T-MINUS 1 MONTH UNTIL PUBLICATION

An absolute huge thank you to Taylor Jenkins Reid, NetGalley, and to the publisher for the ARC.

As soon as I saw TJR had a new book coming out I knew there was a pretty good chance I was going to love it. What I didn’t know was how much. The answer? A whole lot.

Once again TJR takes her readers on an emotional journey about discovery one’s self, one’s relationships, and one’s potential. Atmosphere at its heart is a book full of emotions (love, heartbreak, confidence building, you name it) and self discovery set to the backdrop of being a woman in STEM during a time where that was still new and mostly unheard of.

There’s plenty of technical jargon and lingo about the space program to keep anyone interested in that aspect intrigued, but at its heart Atmosphere is about discovering how one small being can fit and grow into the unending expanse that is our universe.

This book made me laugh. It made me cry. And it allowed me to seamlessly blend the two emotions together into something bigger. At it end it left me smiling through my tears and feeling that even though our universe is huge, with our world just a small part, and us an even smaller one, that we all have the ability to craft our own larger than life story and revel in that feeling.

Wow... another incredibly beautiful book by Tayloe Jenkins Reid. The NASA Space shuttle is my "Roman Empire," so when I saw that one of my favorite authors was coming out with a book set during the space shuttle program, I nearly lost it. This book was everything I hoped it would be and more. Taylor Jenkins Reid really did her research. This story felt so believable. The love story was just so beautiful, and I thought the character development was done so well. I really liked the jump in timelines; it made me not want to put the book down. Everything about this book is 5 stars! I am so excited for the audiobook! I can't wait to listen to this story and experience it all over again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book!

Another amazing read from Taylor Jenkins Reid! I seriously love anything she writes and this one was no different, I def. cried, she builds such great characters - they all have depth and you end up caring about all of them - except for Joan's sister - she sucks! Hoping this will also be optioned for a show or a movie because I will 100% be watching and rec. to all my friends this summer!

So grateful for the ARC of Atmosphere! As someone who grew up in the 80s with Sally Ride and the desire to be an astronaut this book really resonated with me. In typical TJR style she covers love, intrigue, how to balance it all and what happens when we realize what is truly important in life. Mark your calendar for June 3 and prepare to laugh and CRY along with the Joan Goodwin.

The Atmosphere is a powerful and emotional journey that follows a woman determined to reach the stars—literally. When NASA finally opens its space program to women, the main character seizes her chance, but the path isn't easy. Alongside the physical challenges of space training, she confronts deep personal struggles: family expectations, identity, and what it truly means to chase your dream.

This story stirred up a whole range of emotions—joy, frustration, even tears. It’s a beautifully written reflection on resilience, sacrifice, and self-discovery. If you love stories about strong women pushing boundaries and finding their place in the universe, The Atmosphere belongs on your shelf.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of Atmosphere.

Once again, Taylor Jenkins Reid has created a beautiful story and completely sucked me in. We start in December 1984, where disaster quickly happens, and then spend the rest of the novel rewound in time, learning how Joan, Vanessa, and the rest of the team come to this tragic moment.

Atmosphere was full of beautiful and heartbreaking moments and I loved seeing Joan's relationships develop over time and watching this group of strangers become family. Her love of Frances, her niece, was especially touching to me, as I have a similar relationship to mine. I spent the last few chapters in tears and flew through the ending, breathless and terrified, hoping for the impossible but expecting the worst. TJR has an amazing ability to create a story about something I'm not particularly interested in (space, tennis, etc) and immediately making me love it. I will forever read anything she writes and be a better person for it. Read this. Laugh, cry, hope. And then go outside and look up at the stars.

This book stressed me TF out, but in a good way. I've always been obsessed with astronauts, so this really scratched that itch.

3.2.1... Blast off to your next summer read!!! This book had everything! A love story, multiple POVs, and adventure!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this title to review!

I was not prepared to cry over this book when I picked it up! This was my first Taylor Jenkins Reid novel, and I was so excited to read it after hearing her speak at the Texas Library Association’s 2025 Annual Conference. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect going in—other than the fact that I loved the author’s personality, and the way she spoke about this novel really intrigued me.

I’m so glad I gave it a chance, because it’s easily one of my top reads of the year. I connected so deeply with the characters that I still think about them daily, nearly two weeks after finishing the book. I also loved the setting and the incredible world-building—women making a name for themselves at the Houston Space Center in the 80s? Yes, please!

This was such an immersive, compelling read. While I’m sad it’s over, the ending felt completely satisfying. I’m already looking forward to rereading it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
5⭐️
Taylor Jenkins Reid takes readers to new heights—literally and emotionally—with Atmosphere, an ambitious and unforgettable novel set during NASA’s Space Shuttle program in the 1980s. Known for her intimate character work set against iconic backdrops, Reid once again delivers, this time blending rigorous spaceflight detail with deeply human stories of love, ambition, and sacrifice.

At the heart of the novel is Joan Goodwin, a reserved astronomy professor whose application to NASA opens the door to unexpected friendships, profound personal revelations, and a slow-burning romance that’s both tender and transformative. Reid’s character work is exquisite, from Joan’s evolving relationship with fellow candidate Vanessa Ford to her touching bond with her niece Frances.

What sets Atmosphere apart is its perfect balance of technical authenticity and emotional resonance. Reid’s research into astronaut training, space missions, and the challenges faced by women in STEM grounds the story in realism while never losing sight of the personal journeys at its core. The supporting cast—especially Lydia and Frances—bring added richness to the narrative, and the alternating timelines build tension masterfully.

Themes of identity, chosen family, personal fulfillment, and what we’re willing to risk for love are explored with nuance and heart. Even as the vastness of space looms large, the novel’s most powerful moments come from the small, intimate ones—moments of connection, courage, and quiet strength.

This is Reid at her most expansive and daring. Atmosphere is a deeply moving, beautifully crafted novel that will resonate with fans of character-driven fiction, space exploration, and stories that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.

Such an incredible book! Have yet to read a book by her that isn’t amazing! So happy to have gotten an arc of this!