I had a hard time getting into this, and ultimately decided it's not for me. I've read everything else by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and she seems to be a pretty hit or miss author for me, and unfortunately, this one was a miss. I will still continue to give everything else she writes a chance, and will recommend this to people who I think would enjoy it, but it just wasn't for me, and that's okay. I still think she's a great writer and has unique premises to her books.

A little too different for me. I’m a huge TJR fan,I have read all of her other books and really looked forward to Atmosphere, but this isn’t for me. Thank you for an ARC.

TJR does it again and this time doesn’t just knock it out of the park but into space. Her ability to right morally gray characters that you fall in love with is unmatched. Already dying for her next one.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors ever and I always love her books and writing. I really enjoyed Atmosphere but the style, subject and character development didn’t seem as cohesive as normal. I really didn’t enjoy how long the chapters were. I also didn’t feel connected to the subject unlike other novels of hers so that may be why I didn’t love it as much as others. Overall though it is still a great representation of a time period through suspenseful, reflective prose.

Thank you so much to NetGally for providing me with an early release of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere!

Taylor Jenkins Reid has undoubtedly done it again! Atmosphere has already secured itself as one of my favorite books of the year! Reid never fails to take a topic I have previously had no interest in reading such as Tennis or Space and made it so I physically could not put the book down! I finished this 48 hours after starting it and not a minute went by that I wasn’t thinking about this book!

One thing that struck me off the bat about this story was the amount of research Reid put into this book. It feels as if we live in an age currently where authors are producing a book a year and not spending the proper time to learn the subject they are writing about. This was not the case with this story at all! It is beyond obvious the amount of time and research Reid put into the science and career behind being an astronaut and she manages to convey that information in an engaging and entertaining way!

Sometimes it’s hard to realize how long it has been since you read a book with amazing writing, and this book made me realize this. Honestly Atmosphere stands out amongst all the other books I have read this year as a truly remarkable story. Thea magic of space, the endless history of sexism, and the human experience were encapsulated so well in this novel!

This was so powerful. I wasn't sure if Atmosphere would be a good fit for me - I have little to no interest in space - but the more I read, the more Jenkins Reid changed my mind. Set during the 80s, Joan becomes one of the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program. The inciting incident in the prologue sets the stage for an emotional and suspenseful journey. Told in dual-timelines, we gain appreciation for Joan's quite strength, resilience, and courage. There is a beautiful love story and familial struggles all while Joan navigates the sexism and politics of NASA, Joan's relationship with her niece Frances was so touching. I was on pins and needles to discover how the story would end, and yet the writing was so gorgeous that I couldn't help but take my time to savor the thoughtful moments when Joan would muse about the stars and the nature of a higher power. This book had me in tears multiple times. Highly recommend.

A look at civilian astronauts in training, particularly the challenges the female candidates faced. Heart stopping, thrilling action and deeply moving relationship building. A tremendous amount of research must have gone into this book and it doesn't go unnoticed. A pleasure to read!

I really wanted to be eloquent with my review for such a lovely book, but all I can manage is a series of ugggggghhhhs. This book is a lot of things. It’s an exploration of a pivotal time in space travel when women joined NASA as astronauts and made their first flights into space. It’s a spotlight on families made up of very different characters and the dysfunction and heartbreak it can create. And, most memorably to me, it is a slow burn romance (which I’m seeing surprised a lot of other readers but why? The title literally has "a love story" in it. Plus, all of TJR’s books include a romance of some sort and the synopsis hints at it heavily. Would you call just your gal friend “magnetic?” The gay panic is all over that synopsis.)

That was one of the single most beautiful romances I’ve read in a long time. What makes it so brilliant is that that the qualities within the relationship are also what make it work in the time period this book is set in. It’s a love that has no other choice but to be full of patience, yearning, steadfastness, and compassion. It exemplifies exactly how loving someone can make you whole and rip you apart simultaneously. It was heartbreaking and lovely and I bawled throughout the last quarter of the book.

There is definitely room for critique. There was a large cast of characters that didn’t get a lot of attention but things happen to them that is supposed to impact the audience. Sometimes it works despite not knowing the characters very well, which is a testament to how incredible TJR can be at crafting heartbreaking situations, but sometimes it falls flat. It doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book, but if you don’t find the main story to be as engaging as I did, then it probably will for you. Also, if you don’t enjoy reading about space things, this book probably won’t be for you. TJR made me care about tennis for Carrie, but with how relentless the science can be in this book, she may not be able to make you care about space if you don’t already like it.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Random House for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. This is a wow of a book. It takes places in the early 80's, and is centered around the Space Shuttle Flights. Joan Goodwin wants to be an astronaut. She is a bright, quiet astrophysicist.She doesn't date, she teaches at a college and she spends her free time helping her sister Barbara( a single mother) take care of her daughter, Frances. She applies for the program and is accepted.This is her story, as she navigates the program, the work, the sexism of the male astronauts, and the needs of her sister and niece. She meets Vanessa, who is also in the program. They become friends, and slowly Joan is drawn to Vanessa, in a way she never thought possible. The story starts in 1984, with a problem on a space mission. Vanessa is in space, and Joan is working Mission Control. The book shifts between the 1984 date and the back story of how Joan and Vanessa meet, and get to know each other in the world of NASA.It is a layered, and intense story. The relationship of Joan and Vanessa plays out against the back drop of the Space Shuttle and the need to focus on nothing but the mission.The secondary story of Joan's sister and niece at first seemed liked a bit of an intrusion, but it became more and more integral to who Joan was, and how she lived. I just finished and I am sitting here shaking. I am so glad that I read this book.

COULDN’T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! Taylor Jenkins Reid has woven together a beautiful love story and a masterfully researched historical fiction into one. This will be an easy handsell to anyone who grew up during the space shuttle era, anyone who loves space, or anyone who has felt their life pushes the boundaries of societal acceptance. It’s certainly a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Favorite TJR book.

HANDS DOWN.

I know nothing about NASA or space or physics but wow, can Reid write humans with all their fears, worries and great love. The last 20% had me on tenterhooks. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure everything out. This is the love story I didn't know I needed. Joan is such a fantastic and fleshed out character,

A story of fated mates and love so powerful it transcends galaxies. ‘Atmosphere’ is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her very best.

This takes place within NASA’s Space Shuttle program in the 1980’s. We follow Joan, an astronomy professor who applies to NASA’s program the first time they are accepting women. During this program, Joan faces intrapersonal difficulties, new friendships, intense moments, and a romance she never expected.

Sapphic, emotional, and beyond thrilling! TJR crafts real, intimate characters, integrating astrology and historical moments throughout the book. While her female main characters are always strong, brave, and resilient, I found myself resonating with Joan more so than any of her other FMC’s! I instantly connected with her, and enjoyed following her exploring her sexuality and relationship with Vanessa.

This was a powerful read; full of astronomy, history, dual-timelines, a blossoming love, familial struggles, and found family. The representation of women in STEM was beautiful, with many strong supporting characters that were extremely likable.

The ending of this book had me in absolute shambles, SOBBING! What a beautiful ode to the human experience and to pushing boundaries for love that matters the most.

Thank you to TJR, Ballentine Books, and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

I want to preface this by saying I have read every book Taylor Jenkins Reid has put out and loved all of them. I was so excited for her next book, and had been anxiously awaiting its release. That being said… this was a let down. And that’s really frustrating because the potential for it to be great was there. I almost DNF a few times, but kept pushing through because it’s TJR.

It felt really flat. The best part of the book was the last 10% and it took awhile to get there. But, the ending absolutely ripped my heart out. I wish there had been a little more resolution, maybe an epilogue or something, to really feel wrapped up.

It only became 3 ⭐️ for me because of the ending.

It's always exciting to hear that Taylor Jenkins Reid has a new book out and this one does not disappoint. Atmosphere is set in the early 1980s and features a class of hopeful astronauts who are excited to hear when they might liftoff. Joan and Vanessa are among the few females admitted into the new class and they quickly forge a deep friendship. The reader gets to know other members of the class and watch as they form their own found family group. You'll want to read this gripping tale in one sitting. Read and enjoy!

ATMOSPHERE was another amazing book by Reid. Once I started I couldn't out it down. Each chapter was so well written, I liked the characters and plot. I'll be buying a copy on pub day. Highly recommend!

4.75/5

Taylor.. all I want to say to you is HOW DARE YOU end the book that way! As usually, TJR blew this out of the park. I fell in love with all of the characters and was so intrigued to learn so many new things about space and NASA.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a must read author. Atmosphere is a gorgeous story of love, self discovery, ambition, yearning for acceptance, and sacrifice. Set in NASA during the 80s, the book depicts the struggles and pressures many women in STEM have faced to gain acceptance. TJR weaves dual timelines to highlight the dreams and challenges our characters face, as they discover how far they will go for the people they love.
Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the ARC!

There’s a lot to love about this book: feministic ideals, sapphic love, found family, and some interesting science & God discussions. (Notice I said ‘&’ not ‘VS’.)
The beginning and the “future” parts are really good - meeting the cast and the danger of the mission are done so you get to know and care about the characters. But the pacing feels off near the second half - once Joan & Vanessa fall in love, the book feels like it doesn’t super no where it wants to go - so it speeds through about 3 years that are cute but mostly unnecessary.
I can see what TJR is trying to do with everything and I’m fully on board with a lot of her stances - but the two most interesting parts were kind of handled quickly/offscreen. We’re told how selfish Barbara is and told how the dynamic is changing with Barbara/Frances - and we’re told who Joan is and how she views her sexual identity but I think more time could have been spent developing that. Joan accepts her secret relationship fairly easily and they run into little to no trouble until the end. Both of these plot points (which are so hard/gut-wrenching) add such heart to the book but we’re taken away from the full journey Joan goes on.
Side note: Joan almost never makes a mistake? I found that difficult.
Overall, there’s some really beautiful moments and I have several people I know who would love this book. 3.5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC!

I don't love everything by TJR, so when I tell you to go read this book now I mean it. This was poignant and emotional, with a wonderfully interwoven plot and amazing female characters that had me turning the pages to get more. Absolutely loved everything about this book.

taylor jenkins reid is one of my favorite authors! i have read all of her books and found something special in all of them. i love her story telling abilities and how emotional she makes her works. they’re so deep and insightful and help me shift my point of view which i love. i cannot wait to start this one