Ballantine/Random House Publishing provided an early galley for review.

Having read something before by this author, I thought it was time to give her new one a shot. I definitely have some thoughts on this one.

Clearly Reid has done her homework. This book is chock-full of details relating to NASA, the astronaut program, and everything you would expect for a period piece with this backdrop. The story opens with the fateful December 1984 mission, complete with very accurate technical dialogue that is not explained (why would it be as these characters know their jobs and understand the lingo?). This makes it very authentic. And, unfortunately for me, very boring. I almost decided to stop right from the start as I was not getting any connection to any of the characters; it was names and jargon.

However, I stuck with it. And then the story shifts to the backstory sections. Those are told in chronological order, with returns three more times to the "present day" of December 1984. This format is done, I surmise, to keep the reader on the hook for the present day drama while also filling in with the building of the relationships. There were a couple points in the backstory where I felt the author was info-dumping NASA and the space shuttle history (under the guise of classroom learning). I recognize that this information needed to be there and that Reid did all that research, but it still felt too info-dumpy to me.

The problem with the jumping back and forth narrative structure is that the December 1984 part (which is very exciting and tense) gets defused by spending too much time away. On the flip side, events from that part also tend to undermine/undercut the flashbacks in some cases because we have already learned the fates of certain characters (making me as a reader care less about them in the past).

While the book's description does hint at it, the story spends a lot of time on both a romantic subplot as well as a complicated family subplot. At points, these two take over the narrative and push the space themes to the side. So, those who might be picking up this book for a heavy space action story need to know this.

I did finish the book, and I found the story to be okay and serviceable.

Thanks to Random House and Ballantine Books for this ARC.

I'll start off by saying how much I've loved Taylor Jenkins Reid's novels and how excited I was to be given an early copy. I have found her stories to be complex and beautiful; truly just amazing character driving narrative (especially Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones). I went in blind not knowing anything about ATMOSPHERE other than 1980s and NASA. A child of the 80s and 90s who watched Space Camp one million times? Hell. Yes.

However, i'm sad to say that the first 40% of this book was a total miss for me and a bit of a slog after the first chapter. The 2nd half of the novel delivered, but not in the same way Reid's previous novels have. Are we expecting too much as an audience? I don't think so. Pacing and structure felt off to me.

SPOILERS:

The opening finds our protagonist Joan working mission control. We have no idea about her, or her relationships with those she's speaking to on comms. We're being thrown names rather rapidly and we haven't really invested any time in any of these characters to understand the complexity of these relationships or who they are as people. When I think of something like the TV series FOR ALL MANKIND (Apple TV, revisionist history, space), it's a slow burn introduction but then you're IN IT - and that was my expectation here too. Give me more NASA drama. Why is Barb so much of this plot?!

With ATMOSPHERE, we're immediately thrown into disaster, but then we time jump backwards and finally get proper introductions to everyone we know that has just been KILLED BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN AN ACCIDENT. If this were a film, maybe it works? However, in a novel like this? No. I would have preferred to be attached to these people, get to know them, and then mourn them and wonder if Vanessa was going to make it back to Earth for a pulse-pounding final act. After the first chapter, I'm acutely aware most of the characters are gone as i'm reading it. What a bummer. Oh, and I even know WHY and HOW it happened.

Worth a read? Yes. And who knows? you may feel differently than me. 3.5 stars rounded down to 5.

Also, Barb - I hope your cowboy hat wearing husband divorces your ass.

Wow. I love Taylor Jenkins Reid and Daisy Jones and the Six is my favorite book of hers but this one comes so close. I was instantly drawn by the setting of NASA and feminism but then the relationship with her niece wow that was emotional and then on top of all that emotion was the storyline of her identity and secret relationship with a woman. I cried multiple times but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I can’t wait until the world gets to read this book so I can share more of my thoughts.

Wow. I think I forgot how Taylor Jenkins Reid's books make me feel so very much. I was immersed in the story from the very first page because of the writing style, how it captivates and pulls me right into the motion of the story as if I've been there all along. I finished the book in one evening, only breaking to eat dinner (and even then, having a hard time taking my mind off the story). And the ending - without giving anything away - lived up to a Taylor Jenkins Reid ending. I was happy, sad, overwhelmed, on the edge of my seat, and somehow relaxed all at the same time. Wow. What a well-written, moving, engaging story. I know this book isn't even released yet but I'm already waiting for yet another masterpiece by my favorite author, Taylor Jenkins Reid.

If there’s one thing Taylor Jenkins Reid knows how to do, it’s tug on those heart strings! Atmosphere follows Joan Goodwin, a reserved professor of physics and astronomy as she sets out on the journey of a lifetime - joining NASA’s shuttle program.
I really enjoyed this book. As a (die hard) fan of the authors other work, I worried the reading experience would be different due to NASA and science being big parts of the story. But in true Taylor Jenkins Reid fashion, the characters are what shine through the most.
Joan is, in my opinion, the perfect protagonist. She’s an ambitious woman who has lived her life by the book, never wanting to step on anyone’s toes. Both in her personal and professional life. Through the novel we get to witness Joan discover who she really is and the lengths she will go to protect the ones she loves.
Atmosphere is raw, emotional, and thrilling. It’s a must read for anyone that enjoys historical fiction, outer space, and kickass women.
Thank you to Taylor Jenkins Reid, Random House, and NetGalley for the eARC :)♡

This was such a good book. Being of a certain age, I grew up with space shuttles. I felt like I was there with the characters.

Joan Goodwin, physics/astronomy professor and aunt to her beloved niece Frances, has always loved space: the science, the mythology of the stars. In the summer of 1980, she gets the chance of a lifetime: selected from an enormous pool of applicants, she begins training at the Johnson Space Center so that she can travel to space. As she and the other recruits grow closer and closer, Joan finds a love that she had never imagined that she could feel with one of her fellow astronauts. As soon as it feels like her world has fallen into place, in December of 1984 on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in the blink of an eye.

When reading about a subject as vast, overwhelming, and inspiring as stars and space, it’s hard not to feel an emotional stirring deep in your bones. And when that is paired with a strong woman’s journey to self-discovery and acceptance, it’s an easy winner.

Joan’s strength of spirit and generous heart made me fall in love with her immediately, and I have never rooted for a love story the way that I did for her and Vanessa. I wonder how anyone in the world can look at how deeply and genuinely two women feel for each other and still believe that it’s an abomination. A love like that is one for the ages, no matter what it looks like.

And romantic love is not the only love that is celebrated. Joan’s devotion to her young niece Frances is beautiful to see, and though my heart ached for Frances’s loneliness through much of the story, I’m so happy that she had Joan to help her.

I am wildly impressed by the research that went into writing this book. I know basically nothing about NASA or space travel, but that didn’t prevent me from understanding or enjoying this book—I actually learned quite a bit!

This might actually replace Daisy Jones as my favorite TJR book. Action-packed, philosophical, romantic, emotional—everything that you could want in a love story with a backdrop of outer space.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a galley! Atmosphere publishes on June 3, 2025.

I am jealous of those who still get to read this book for the first time. It is a crave-able book that I read in 2 days. I have read the last chapter over and over again. When I woke up this morning the book was the first thing on my mind. It’s about the first women to join the NASA Shuttle Program in the 80’s. It’s what you expect from Taylor Jenkins Reid, strong characters and plot. It has the universe and stars and love and trust and fear and friendship and family and drama and misogyny and feminism and small mindedness and openness. Everything in life is in the book. Now let me go read that last chapter again.

Joan always wanted to be an astronaut. Many people do when they are young, but she actually has the opportunity to make it happen. When she is accepted into the NASA program in the late 70s, she knows something great is about to happen.

TJR is always a must read for me. This one wasn’t quite on the mark for me. She made me care about tennis with Carrie Soto, but this was a lot about space and I never quite got there. It was a good, solid book, but just not my favorite.

Thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for this eARC!

This ruled, and not just because I could have taken Joan's intro Astronomy class in college (if I were a few years older, and she were, you know, real). Also, I do want to murder one of the characters, and it probably is who you think. Women DO belong in balloons!

Early 1980s NASA space program with found family and sapphic love. Keep the tissues handy for an ugly cry at the end. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy for an honest review.

TJR takes us to space! Set in the 1980’s, the space program is looking for a few good men AND women to take the new space shuttle up. Joan is a lovable aunt and underestimated professor who follows her dream of reaching the stars.
She travels to Houston and becomes part of a close knit group of friends who become like family. We follow them on their romantic endeavors, trainings for space and to space. We become attached to these well developed characters. Not all things in life go as planned for Joan personally or professionally. It’s a great ride, especially those last pages.
My biggest complaint….TJR does some foreshadowing that really made me want to skip ahead (which I didn’t) and it also made the a lot of the book seem to drag. I just wanted to see what happened! She makes it worth it and I did get to see great character development.

This kinda wasn’t what I expected at all but of course I was involved ! The last 20 pages had me so teary eyed. I’ve never been into the NASA / space story but this one I enjoyed reading

I haven't read a TJR book since MALIBU RISING but ATMOSPHERE reminded me why I love her work. TJR is an incredible storyteller. I was pulled firmly into this story and it didn't let me go until the very end.

Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again; writes an absolute masterpiece of a novel that will make you laugh and cry all in the same chapter.

This is the story of one woman’s journey to becoming a part of NASA, and becoming the woman she never knew she was alongside a cast of phenomenal characters she takes the journey with.

Who would have thought a book about space could be so raw and emotional? TJR did. Admittedly, that’s my favorite part about her writing style. The way she writes her characters and the dynamic scenes she brilliantly paints for the reader makes you fall in love with whatever the topic of the book is. I felt the same way about tennis… and surfing… and a cast of misfits forming their own band.

The FMC Joan is so well written you feel like you could predict having a conversation with her yourself. The supporting characters, Griff, Lydia, Hank, Donna… all of them, are also written with such strong arcs and personalities it’s hard to not imagine yourself in the room right along with them.

This book is so much more than a “space” novel. It’s about the universe — in every facet of its capability and depth. This book deserves every 5 star I’ve given it, plus an added Hydra.

I devoured this book. I knew I liked Taylor Jenkins Reid and I thought I would enjoy a story about the 80s space program but I was unprepared for HOW MUCH I would love it.

I loved the split between the two time periods - it did a great job of maintaining tension right through to the very last page - and I loved the slow build of their relationship, as soon as Vanessa the character was introduced. With another writer I would be wondering through the book if they would actually get together, but knowing Reid had a history of writing lesbian characters gave me hope, and the way that the relationship was teased out so slowly over the course of the novel was delicious.

I loved the character development and the relationships. Pain felt real and earned as I got to know characters. I also loved Joan's realization of her sexuality, and Vanessa's knowing and and patience with her as she discovered herself.

I also loved how homophobia played a role in their lives without being overwhelming misery. These women found and chose happiness but there was a layer of sourness as they built their lives together, a layer that is still very very real.

I absolutely loved this book. It's one of my favorites so far this year.

I love how Taylor Jenkins Reid writes queer books in a way that makes it possible for me to sell them to people who might not read queer books. She sneaks it in and they read it and love it. As a lesbian bookseller who often is afraid to hand someone a queer book for fear they say "oh well I don't like that..." I appreciate how many women read books like Evelyn Hugo and come back and say "I never thought about it that way. I really enjoyed that book". I think Atmosphere will be able to do the same thing.

I can't WAIT to read it again.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors and I was so excited when I heard about Atmosphere--and even more excited to be approved for the ARC! Carrie Soto made me obsessed with tennis, and while space spooks me, Atmosphere succeeded in giving me a newfound respect for it. The universe is beautiful, even if it's a little terrifying.

More than that, I really cared about these characters. While the story focused on Joan and Vanessa and, in my opinion, the story felt more about their relationship than anything else, I found myself nearly crying when Griff and Hank died. As a parent, I was so emotional to read about Donna and baby Thea and how their entire family was now changed forever. It was devasting. I felt like I hardly knew these characters (I don't think we got close to any of the side characters in this one), but the way these moments were written was very impactful. I do wish we could have spent more time with the other astronauts to get to know them, but there was also a lot to put in this book already.

I loved the relationship between Joan and Vanessa. Their struggles with the time they were living in were real but no less disheartening. I was so glad to know their close friends were happy for them and not judgmental, even if there was never any real discussion about it. That last chapter had me crying pretty much the entire time, and not in a cute way.

Barbara was the worst so thank god Joan was able to take Frances. I wish I could get in Barbara's head to figure out what she was actually thinking and feeling, but that's probably not a place I truly want to be. My heart breaks for Frances, but I'm grateful she's able to be with Joan, though she'll always feel that ache for her mother.

I am an avid TJR fan. No one does historical romance like her. She’s perceptive, knows her history, and is very confident in setting the tone and pace of her stories. I really loved this one. In a time where NASA is under attack it felt especially poignant. I also loved how the author showed a beautiful and fraught relationship that wasn’t allowed or encouraged in the early eighties— which makes the idea of space travel seem all the more ridiculous. We want to send people to space but we want to set rules around how and who they love? Okay. Make it make sense! My only slight hang up was the dialogue. There were times where it felt a bit stunted. It was a very dialogue heavy book so sometimes it was hard to read sentences that seemed robotic. I think this was supposed to read this way but there were times where some sentences just didn’t flow that naturally? That’s very nit picky because all in all I LOVED this! I learned a lot and lovedddd Joan. Please, more books about women in space!!

I absolutely loved this novel this love story. I sobbed like a baby the entire last 20 pages. Any book that can make me go through an emotional roller coaster is deserving of more than 5 stars. It was so easy to understand the space terminology, it was a clear story. I absolutely will be recommending this to all of my friends and followers. I will post a review on my TikTok soon!

I wasn’t expecting this book to be what it was when I read the synopsis, but it was a great story! And like every other novel I’ve read by TJR, the writing was beautiful.

I will say, after finishing the story I kind of found myself wishing that a certain outcome had happened, only because I feel like it would have made the story meaningful in a completely different and reflective way.

Also, there was one paragraph that I thought needed editing somewhere around the first few chapters, but I forgot to highlight and can’t find it anymore.