I would like to thank Taylor Jenkins Reid for yet again getting me out of a reading slump. When I started Atmosphere, I was slightly worried that all of the science talk would go over my head and distract me from the plot, I should have known better. Despite all of the talk of astronauts and space mechanics, Atmosphere to its core, is a love story.
The story flips back and forth through time to allow the reader to experience the full extent of Joan’s journey from college professor to astronaut. Along the way the reader is introduced to a host of characters that, like Joan, develop as the story progresses, all except for one character… who I will not name because if I do my blood pressure will spike.
Without getting into spoilers, I personally adored Vanessa and Joans dynamics and watching them grow especially when it came to how the handled their careers and personal lives with the political and social implications for queer people during the 80’s.
From the start of the novel T.J.R. has my heart in her fist and does not release it until the final page. I cannot recommend this novel enough and cannot wait to buy a physical copy for myself and my library when it comes out.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an e-galley of Taylor Jenkins Reid's newest book Atmosphere.

I have a soft spot for all-things 80s, so this book was an immediate win for me. While I think the love story was predictable, it was good to see the two women featured as the primary relationship in the story. Where the novel is at its best is when it steps deeper into the realm of historical fiction (e.g., when the recruits are given the lesson on Apollo 1). I wish it had given a bit more information on the Shuttle program and featured more "content" from the 1980s. I could imagine pairing this book with The Burning Blue: The Untold Story of Christa McAuliffe and NASA's Challenger Disaster by Kevin Cook or Challenger by Adam Higginbotham.

Was this Jenkins Reid at her best? No, that honor is still with The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but I think my students and community will enjoy this love story all the same.

Fantastic new book! It is nice that the women of the Space Shuttle program are getting great attention in this thought provoking and true to detail novel from Taylor Jenkins Rein. The characters were real and the feel of the early 80's time period was spot on. You could almost imagine Sally Ride being right there! Highly Recommend!

Atmosphere is nothing short of a breathtaking masterpiece. Taylor Jenkins Reid has once again captivated readers with her signature blend of rich character development, thrilling drama, and deeply emotional storytelling. From the very first page, I was hooked by Joan Goodwin’s quiet obsession with the stars and her transformation from a reserved professor to an aspiring astronaut with a burning desire to break barriers.

Reid does an exceptional job at portraying the unique challenges Joan faces as a woman in a field dominated by men, but also the powerful sense of camaraderie and friendship she builds with her fellow candidates. Each character feels multi-dimensional and real, from Hank’s easygoing nature to the enigmatic Vanessa, whose skills and personality make her impossible to forget. Their relationships and dynamics evolve beautifully throughout the book, making every moment feel earned and meaningful.

The emotional depth of Atmosphere is what truly sets it apart. It’s not just about Joan’s journey to space but about her exploration of self, her personal growth, and the connections she forms along the way. The romance, when it unfolds, is tender, passionate, and unexpected, adding yet another layer to the narrative.

The book’s pacing is perfect, with moments of heart-pounding excitement during the astronaut training and heartwarming, quieter moments of introspection. And when the pivotal event in 1984 happens, it leaves you breathless, changing everything Joan thought she knew about herself and her place in the universe.

Highly recommended!!

Thank you Net Galley for the arc!

Once again Taylor Jenkins Reid has written a fun a and very readable book! I was so excited to see that it was going to be about space and the opening chapters made me feel like this would be a higher stakes novel than we usually see from Reid. Unfortunately, that was not the case. While I enjoyed the novel, it ended up focusing on the main characters relationships with her niece and partner. This essentially felt like the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo but set at NASA in the 80s. I still really enjoyed this book and even shed a tear or two. I just wish the book didn't have such a cliche ending.

Joan Goodwin is looking for a place to belong. The sky brings her immense joy and sets her heart ablaze. When she comes across an ad from NASA seeking applicants, the stars light up in Joan's eyes. The summer of 1980 changed Joan forever. She begins to move past the obstacles in her life to find her place in the world. Her niece, Frances keeps her grounded as life moves forward. Her team becomes her family, closest friends, confidante, and one becomes the love she never knew she could have. Joan creates a beautifully life for herself that may all change in an instant.

Taylor Jenkins Reid can write. Period. The end. Her stories are compelling. Every story is written about true people, not perfection or hero figures. Joan is related and struggling to make the right choices for all involved. She deals with family dynamics, reaching for goals, and finding acceptance in a world not made for her. Throughout Reid's beautiful prose and storytelling, readers also get a glimpse at NASA and the inner workings of space missions. No matter what type of reader you, pick this book up when it is released. Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster. Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine for the advanced copy.

Atmosphere is an engaging, emotional read that captures the excitement of NASA in the '80s while exploring love, ambition, and family. The novel balances three compelling storylines—the romance between the main characters, Joan’s relationship with her sister and niece, and the intense astronaut training program—without feeling overwhelming. The NASA details are woven in seamlessly, making the world feel immersive without being bogged down by technical jargon. It’s clear an incredible amount of research went into this book.

The pacing, however, felt uneven. The beginning was dense, introducing many characters and laying the groundwork, while the ending felt rushed, leaving certain moments underdeveloped. Joan's character arc was compelling, though at times, aspects of her self-discovery felt a bit sudden. Her relationship with Frances was a highlight, but Barbara, her sister, could have used more depth.

While the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo remains my favorite novel by TJR, this is still an absorbing and compelling read. If you’re a fan of her work, you’ll likely enjoy this one. For those drawn to character-driven stories set against a high-stakes historical backdrop, Atmosphere is well worth the read. Slightly more than a 4-star book. I think this may be BookTok’s new favorite read for the summer!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the eARC. Look for this on shelves on June 3, 2025.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for honest review. Atmosphere is set in the 1980s and candidates for NASA space program are chosen to be a part of the astronaut candidate program. Joan and Vanessa are among the select group of women who hope to pave the way for future women astronauts. However, Joan and Vanessa learn they have to hide parts of themselves if they want to get ahead in the program.

I absolutely screamed when I saw that I got this ARC. Taylor is one of my favorite authors and I will read ANYTHING she writes, they are all phenomenal and I have never read a book from her that isn't 5 stars. This one follows that trend.

I absolutely adored this. TJR really has a talent of introducing her readers into topics or subjects that they may not think they care about and then by the end are truly obsessed with. That was definitely the case of me here and with Carrie Sotto and tennis.

Her strengths are always her characters but I found the plot here to be really compelling as well. We start off on a huge suspenseful moment and spend the rest of the book getting back to that point. I flew through this because I wanted to know how that beginning scene ended! There is so much good here. The representation of characters and seeing how romance and being gay was perceived in a stem field was really hard to read and heartbreaking but also super important to understand.

I was rooting for the characters so much and love that TJR does not follow the traditional romance plot trajectory and instead made it work for her story. Beyond the relationship you get to see two brilliant women with a strong passion in a male dominated field. I loved both of them so much and felt as if I was reading a biography and not a fiction novel. You can tell that she does a lot of research into the books she writes and the knowledge passed along is vast. On top of that you get the difficult family dynamic and a wonderful aunt-niece relationship.

The emotions in here are also super high. I found myself getting emotional at several different points. Her writing is just so beyond beautiful.

There is just so much to love here and TJR nailed every single aspect. God tier women. God tier writer. God tier book. Please never stop writing.

I loved this. Clearly.

This book!!!!! I just don't have words.....so amazing, from start to finish. I can't imagine the amount of research that went into learning about space flight and the amazing women involved!

Atmosphere written by Taylor Jenkins Reid

*Astronaut space adventures
*FF secret relationship
*Found family

I have read every book that TJR has ever published and never thought I would find one that topped Evelyn Hugo. Until now!

Atmosphere is a five star read! The story is truly heartwarming seeing how the characters created their own family, because who else can truly understand the thrills, and the dangers, that are associated with their careers.

Have the tissues ready, you are going to need them!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review this title!

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance
Overall score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️
Characters: Joan & Vanessa

Thank you NetGalley for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. The end.

Seriously, it was a detailed story that started with Joan. We first learn about who she is with her family, a quiet, simple and incredibly intelligent woman who loves her niece with her whole heart and does the right things…always. She applies and successfully enters the space program to become an astronaut. This is a particularly exciting backdrop as the story takes place in the 1980’s, woman are just being considered for the space program. This remains a thread through the story. She develops amazing relationships with her peers, is supportive of each of them without judgment and is competing only with herself. Joan has a solid moral compass with exceptional core values. Each peer is well developed and added something to the “mission”.

Enters a love interest, a fellow astronaut, another woman, Vanessa. Being drawn to a woman is authentically surprising to Joan, but also exciting as she begins to understand what she is feeling. Joan, ever careful and conservative, takes a risk and follows her heart. I appreciated the opportunity to look in on this beautiful love story, the simple innocence and sweet awakening. However, let’s remember it is the 80’s and same sex love was not welcome in the open. Sadly, they are barely accepted now, but 40 years ago, it’s daunting to imagine the cost of loving someone of the same sex in a public, government run program.

The story continues as the couple endures through secrecy. I felt the author gave me a clear picture of what it must be like for same sex couples to hide love they feel so strongly about, as I imagined it, hiding the excitement and deep feelings would be incredibly difficult. In a parallel story, Joan does a beautiful job navigating her relationship with her sister and niece. I found myself rooting for her as her sister took advantage of her selflessness again and again. Her sister felt like a more stereotypical depiction of women of the time.

Joan and Vanessa both have opportunities to go into space. But with the very cutting edge of technology comes risk. There is a harrowing incident that was well described. While I think I knew the choices the heroine would make, I was conflicted for her in the face of likely disaster. The story ended leaving me wanting to know more. An epilogue? Another book? Taylor Jenkins Reid, I need some answers. Thankfully, I have most of the answers I needed, but I am left wanting a whole lot more. That’s a great end. I will think about these characters for some time.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is an author you can always count on. She makes you think. She makes you feel. She makes you care. This book was no different. I honestly had never thought much about the space program and what it meant for women to become astronauts. In this book we meat aspiring astronaut, Joan. Brilliant professor, doting aunt and people pleasing sister/daughter. She is content with her life until she's sees an ad that NASA has put out seeking women scientists in space. Suddenly, she can think of nothing else. As she pursues her dream, she learns more and more about herself even if that means disappointing those she loves. A deeply moving book. I will recommend this to all.

I love Taylor Jenkins Reid, so I fully expected to love this book. But I was SO bored. I wasn't endeared to any of the characters. I was just bored with most of the story and characters.

I absolutely loved Atmosphere.

After being obsessed with space for her entire life, Joan has a chance to become one of the first female space shuttle astronauts. She understands what her crew might not--that being part of a team is more valuable than being necessarily the singular best. As a female, she has to play the game, and yet her innocence is often her biggest asset. Joan's skills end up being put to use as a tragedy unfolds. Fantastic and compelling.

Wow! Loved this book on so many levels and predict this will be wildly popular with the book clubs I serve. I appreciate the research TJR clearly puts into her books and learn so much from her writing.

This book is very good, it took awhile to get going but once it did, wow!
Lady astronauts in love, reflections on God and space travel what more could you ask for?

the way how TJR creates her characters is magical, she’s masterful at being able to make characters you want to know everything about, and make a complete and well rounded story, I will probably end up devouring her backlist thanks to this read

I have been a devotee of Taylor Jenkins Reid since "Seven Husbands" Not only do I love the way she writes but the situations and characters she creates are nothing but fascinating. This book was no difference. Taking inspiration from women astronauts our main character Joan takes us inside of what the training to be an astronaut is really like. There are numerous friendships and relationships but the soul of the book is really about the wonders of space. A true masterpiece I will recommend this to all readers.

First of all thank you so so much for approving me for this book I am so grateful. I put everything down to read this and I am just blown away. I love all of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books but somehow I feel like she’s always able to outdo herself and this time is no exception. I absolutely loved this book. I was not expecting the romance but was very pleased with how it went and we were given hints throughout. The last 9% of this book had me so stressed and I was sobbing on the couch. Just such a good book I highly recommend this one.