Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC! Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again, a wonderfully told story about friendship, love, family dynamics and the strive to succeed in a male dominated world in the 70's/80's. Well developed characters, even the minor ones were highlighted enough to be interwoven in this book. The space aspect was detailed enough to understand but not too much to get lost in the technical aspect. Definitely a hit.

Taylor Jenkins Reid? Say no more! I will ALWAYS read a TJR book! This was such an enjoyable read. I usually don't like books that have a ton of research in them, but this one held my interest the entire time. I was fascinated by all of the things this author wrote about in regards to science, NASA and astronomy. I felt this one to go a little slow at times, but it didn't stop me from finishing this book in a day. Highly recommend!

I started with the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and haven't disliked a Taylor Jenkins Reid since! She is reflective and intentional, and you feel a real connection with Joan. Taylor beautifully paints the tale of Joan and her desire to be part of something special. Again, she's successful at taking us back in time, being immersed in her beautifully painted reality.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!!! As a fan of TJR, I was already excited for this book, but after reading it? New favorite. I love Joan and the confidence she has in her abilities: in the days where the concept of female astronauts was still up in the air (but not space), Joan knows her strengths and perseveres through the selection program to eventually become one of the first women in space. Her CAPCOM skills lead her to serve as Houston during a historic space disaster.

If you like NASA and/or books adjacent to "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir, this book will be right up your alley (especially if you don't mind a love story!). I can easily say that this book is currently my favorite read of 2025.

SHE'S DONE IT AGAIN!!! What an incredibly written book. An astronaut love story was not on my list but I am sure glad I gave it a try. It was amazing and made me feel all of the emotions. This book will stay with me and I will recommend it to everyone!

Another home run by one of my absolute favorite authors, Taylor Jenkins Reid. Joan is a science professor with a love for all things stars and space. Aside from a close relationship with her niece, she leads a mostly solitary life. Then she finds out that NASA is seeking women to become part of the space program for the first time, and decides to apply. Once chosen and training is underway she starts to develop relationships with her fellow astronauts and her heart begins to open to love. During a mission, things don't go as planned and Joan is tested like never before. I've really been looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint! Would absolutely love a sequel as I am still thinking about the characters days after finishing the book!

As good as Daisy Jones and the Six. I’ll be thinking about this one for awhile. It will be a great book club pick. Lots to discuss.

I don't know how Taylor Jenkins Reid keeps doing this. Her storylines are so unique and just pull you in. I read Atmosphere in one sitting. The characters, the setting, the plot = perfection. I think I'm in love with Joan.

4.5 stars!

*sobbing* A-Alexa play Space Oddity. Taylor Jenkins Reid, I WILL be seeking damages for how much this book made me cry.

Leaving her job teaching college students, Joan Goodwin joins the ASCANS (astronaut candidates) at NASA with the goal of becoming one of the first female astronauts. There she meets Vanessa, and as their relationship deepens and Joan struggles to balance her astronaut duties with caring for her neglectful sister's daughter, Joan hopes she might just find the answers she's looking for among the stars. The way this book made me cry can simply not be described. I am currently a wreck. Having said that, I did love it. TJR hasn't historically worked amazingly for me, and I still think I had some trouble with her writing style in this, but when I heard she was writing about an astronaut I knew I would read it regardless. The relationships in this book are so deeply compelling and I especially appreciated the trouble Joan had with her sister because I think it was a good representation of those really deeply draining family dynamics that I think books often glorify. Vanessa and Joan are really amazing together and you totally get a real sense of their connection as people outside of their work. I wasn't entirely engaged the whole way through but I still think this was amazing and that ending rocked me.

TJR fans are going to go crazy for this, and for others who just love space stories like me, this is the way to go!

Thank you to Taylor Jenkins Reid and Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!

Happy (or sad) reading!

Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her absolute best. It is rich in historical detail, deeply emotional, and packed with character-driven storytelling long after the final page. From the moment we meet Joan Goodwin, a reserved yet fiercely ambitious scientist, her dream of reaching the stars becomes our own.

The novel brilliantly captures the intensity of NASA’s Space Shuttle program in the 1980s, immersing readers in the rigorous training, high stakes, and camaraderie that formed between astronauts. The supporting cast—particularly the determined Lydia, the charming Hank, and the enigmatic Vanessa—feels fully realized, each carrying their weight in Joan’s story. But it’s Joan’s journey, the way she navigates love, loss, and the vast unknown, makes this book soar.

TJR’s writing is as compelling as ever—sharp, immersive, and emotionally charged. She masterfully balances the technical aspects of spaceflight with deeply human moments, making Atmosphere both thrilling and deeply moving. The book's emotional climax hits hard, and even if you think you know where the story is going, it still takes your breath away.

This novel is about ambition, sacrifice, and the courage to chase the impossible. Whether you’re a fan of space exploration or love a powerful, character-driven story, Atmosphere is an absolute must-read.

TJR at her finest! This book was both edge of your seat suspense and slow burn romance. Had my heart SWELLING with so much emotion!! Loved, loved, loved it!!

A book hasn’t made me cry like this in a long time! At first, I was not loving this one. There is more information that usual in a TJR book. There was so much technical stuff about NASA and space that I felt like it slowed the story down. Then I realized that you need this knowledge for the last half of the book….so stick with it! You will not be disappointed!

Taylor Jenkins Reid weaves the present and flashbacks like no other. "Atmosphere" follows Joan Goodwin on arguably the hardest day of her life. Throughout, Reid provides a look at what it was like for Joan to become an astronaut and to work in mission control at the beginning of the space shuttle era. She balances difficult family life, love, and friendship with the misogyny present as the first women joined the astronauts. You truly feel for Joan, Vanessa, Lydia, and the rest of their class as they train while being constantly monitored.

The last 90 pages were an emotional roller coaster that I could not put down.

Overall not a bad storyline, but it lacked the usual pull that Taylor Jenkins-Reid is able to pull off with her books. Some elements of the plot seemed forced (the ungrateful spoiled sister, taking care of Frances, even the relationship with Vanessa). I guess I was expecting a few more plot twists or surprises that never occurred.

Atmosphere is an 80s space novel, with a lesbian relationship at its core.
I ADORED this.
Hopeful, imaginative, and devastating- honestly, did we expect anything less from Taylor Jenkins Reid?

Astronomy & physics professor, Joan Goodwin, whose immense fascination with stars lands her in the heart of NASA’s Space Shuttle program initiating women to join their team. Hard work, unlikely friendships, and most significantly, an unexpected romance with fellow astronaut Vanessa Ford will challenge everything Joan had thought she once knew about herself and our universe.

Atmosphere really hit it out of the park for me. Reid is well known for her ability to transport readers to another time and place seamlessly. Atmosphere does this and more allowing exploration of our limitations and our ability to love as humans against the vastness of space.

This is not one to miss!

Wow, Taylor Jenkins Reid never disappoints. I loved everything about this novel. The characters, the setting and the plot. The love story was great and she knows how to hit you right in the heart. I loved getting to read about NASA, the female astronauts and how they had to navigate being the first female's in NASA.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5 stars

It is so great to get to read another Taylor Jenkins Reid book!

The characters in this novel are dimensional and real. I was swept away into their world and lives & my heart ached for many of them.

This is such a timely book; dealing with themes of homophobia, misogyny.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for a digital ARC for this story.
Star rating: 4.5, recommend

I was transported back to NASA in the 80s as they began to admit women into the space program as astronauts. Taylor Jenkins Reid has done a great job with the research to create a story in which the reader feels fully immersed in the processes women went through to claim their roles in space exploration. The main character, Joan, is well developed and her storyline highlights her emotional ride throughout the novel. I particularly found the structure of this story particularly engaging as we start with a major space catastrophe, and then have the background on the characters and events of their lives interspersed throughout the catastrophe. This format kept me glued to the pages waiting to see how everything would play out in the end.

Fans of the author are sure to love this one as well. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this highly anticipated novel in advance.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has another winner. To be immersed in her story telling has you firmly planted in whatever place and time period she chooses, in this case America in the early 1980s. Is this story about astronauts and space shuttles, yes; but this story more than anything else, is about love.

No one writes an ending quite as well as Taylor Jenkins Reid. Beautiful story of love, friendship and ambition. The overall story was great could of done with less Barbara but any weaknesses in the story were overshadowed by the last couple of chapters - evoking a roller coaster of emotions.