This is is a captivating and emotionally resonant novel that masterfully blends character depth with vivid storytelling. Reid’s signature talent for exploring complex relationships shines through, making the narrative both heartfelt and thought-provoking. With its immersive setting and compelling emotional arcs, Atmosphere is a beautifully written, satisfying read that lingers long after the final page.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for this digital e-arc.*

The entire time I read this book, I was in mad love with Joan because she is unabashedly herself. She doesn't play politics. She doesn't try to dim her shine in front of male astronauts. She hides only one part of herself, a part she didn't discover really until she meets Vanessa. Their relationship works because Joan is a fully formed person with hobbies and interests of her own.

Put against her very straight, single mom sister, Barbara it is obvious that Joan knows exactly who she is and what she wants out of her life and Barbara is conversely obsessed with male attention. She feels like her daughter Frances takes away from her life, but Joan sees her niece as enriching her life and spends every moment with her. Taylor Jenkins Reid makes these choices deliberately to highlight that Joan is a better parent figure despite what the moral majority types say about lesbians and children needing both a mother and a father. Joan is willing to give up everything to be with her niece and it is a far better thing for Frances that Joan loves her. Barbara just doesn't.

I love the fact that Joan is unabashedly herself once she figures out who that is. There is one time when she falters, but by the end her life rings truer than any character I've read in a while.

Thanks to the Ballantine and Netgalley for this wonderful eARC.

In short, I LOVED this book, and although I don't consider myself a romance fan, it is likely because most are terribly written and unrealistic. However, this is an outstanding book in every aspect! 🌹❤️

Here's my review In detail...

Taylor Jenkins Reid has a knack for crafting stories that feel intimate yet grand, and "Atmosphere" is no exception. Set against the backdrop of NASA’s Space Shuttle program in the 1980s, this novel is a breathtaking blend of ambition, love, and the relentless pursuit of something greater than oneself.

At the heart of the story is Joan Goodwin, an astrophysics professor whose lifelong fascination with the stars propels her into NASA’s rigorous astronaut training program. Joan is a compelling protagonist—thoughtful, reserved, and deeply passionate about her work. Her journey is not just about reaching space; it’s about discovering the limits of her own courage and the unexpected depths of human connection.

Reid masterfully balances the technical and emotional aspects of Joan’s experience. The novel immerses readers in the grueling realities of astronaut training, the camaraderie and competition among candidates, and the ever-present specter of failure. Yet, it is the relationships Joan forms—particularly with the enigmatic aeronautical engineer Vanessa Ford—that give the novel its emotional core. Their bond is electric, evolving from mutual admiration to something far more profound, challenging Joan’s understanding of love and sacrifice.

The pacing is taut, alternating between Joan’s early days in the program and a pivotal mission in 1984 that changes everything. Reid’s ability to weave tension into both the professional and personal stakes makes "Atmosphere" an unputdownable read. The novel is not just about space exploration; it’s about the gravity of human emotions, the weight of dreams, and the forces that pull us toward one another.

With "Atmosphere", Reid delivers a story that is both thrilling and deeply moving. It’s a love story in every sense—love for discovery, love for the unknown, and love that defies expectations. Whether you’re drawn to historical fiction, romance, or tales of perseverance, this novel is a stellar addition to Reid’s already impressive body of work.

This book will leave breathlessly in awe of the author's talent, and remind you of a more innocent time when we all took pride in our country, united and fascinated by the space program.

Five stars and a standing ovation for Atmosphere!

I’m floating in orbit and emotionally unwell (in the best way) 🚀🌌💔✨

BRB, building a tiny shrine to Joan Goodwin and launching myself into the stars because *Atmosphere* absolutely *wrecked* me—in that special, stargazing, soul-shattering way only Taylor Jenkins Reid can.

This book is *everything*:
💫 1980s NASA history
🧑‍🚀 women breaking barriers
💘 a secret F/F romance that *soars*
😩 emotional devastation (that I will be thanking TJR for until the end of time)

Joan is such a stunning character—quiet, brilliant, aching for something more. Watching her go from classroom to cockpit, chasing the impossible, made my heart *ache* with pride. And Vanessa Ford?? QUEEN OF THE STARS. Cool, capable, a little mysterious, and soft where it counts. Their love story?? Tender. Defiant. Beautiful. My heart melted into space dust.

I laughed. I cried (a *lot*). I felt like I *was* in Houston in the 80s, sweating through astronaut training and falling in love under fluorescent lighting and constellations. TJR’s writing is cinematic and intimate, historical and heartfelt. You’ll learn so much about the space shuttle program—but more importantly, you’ll *feel* the impossible weight of dreams and love in a world that doesn't always make room for them.

Do you have to care about space to love this? Absolutely not. But by the end, you *will*. You’ll look up at the night sky and think of Joan and Vanessa—and the whole brilliant, beautiful crew who dared to reach beyond gravity.

Read it. Cry. Stare at the stars. Repeat.

I just want to say I normally love TJR and read most of her work, but this one was more of a miss for me. It was hard to get into - I think the rah-rah excitement of the space exploration triggered some deep-seated Soviet propaganda trauma in me, and the whole magic of the cosmos just did not seem genuine.

Joan's character is a bit one-dimensional, especially in the beginning. She is so good at everything, from science to drawing to astronomy, but also so clueless. As if becoming a professor of physics and getting selected by NASA just happens to people this naive.

Barbara is also more of a caricature of an unfeeling, ungrateful sister. I think a little more depth to her character could make her a bit more alive and relatable.

I wanted to add an extra star (but didn't) to balance out all the bad reviews left just because the readers "did not expect a saphic love story" - get a grip, people. I don't think you need a disclaimer for that. Maybe exploring different love stories and reading about relationships outside of heteronormality could make you a better, more compassionate, empathetic person. Taking same sex romance in a book as a personal affront is a bit silly, especially given the disproportionate imbalance in representation.

The second part of the book redeems it a bit, and I enjoyed the final chapters, even if they left me wanting a bit more of a closure. Maybe TJR is thinking about a second installment?

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House/Balantine, for providing an early reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

The salty tears at the end really helped with removing my mascara.

All jokes aside, TJR really knows how to write a beautiful, loving story where you fall in love with the characters. You can’t reduce the novels to just a romance novel. She genuinely carves out their lives, their personalities, and their interests. I loved this one oh so much.

First of all, a huge THANK YOU to Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to be on the Atmosphere Launch Team!
Atmosphere was one of my most highly anticipated releases for 2025, and it did not disappoint.

From the introduction to the very last page, I was hooked. Set in the 1980's alongside NASA's Space Shuttle Program, we meet Joan as she applies to be one of the first female astronauts. TJR paints an intricate portrait of what it takes to become an astronaut and pairs it with Joan's outside story, which instantly draws you in and illustrates TJR's storytelling skill. She kept me engaged to the very last word. I love how TJR portrays women in her books, and Atmosphere is no different. It was a pleasure getting to know Joan, Vanessa, and Joan's niece, Frances. The way Joan's love story, family drama, and NASA journey all intertwine so perfectly is another testament to TJR's ability to write an epic novel.

I enjoyed the multiple timelines. The dialogue between Houston and the astronauts was such a unique way to add depth to the space scenes. The amount of science and space was just right, not overwhelming at all, but enough to deepen the reader's understanding and invest them in the story. It is obvious that TJR meticulously researched the topic at hand - another reason she is easily one of my favorite authors.

Ambition, romance, misogyny, and identity are some of the main themes throughout.

Atmosphere was a complex emotional journey that will bring tears to even the toughest eyes (yes, I cried)!

This is definitely one of the best books I've read this year.

TJR’s latest is set in the alluring world of NASA in the 1980s and follows Joan, an astronomer who applies to the astronaut training program when it opens to women. The first tense scene of the book takes place in 1984 and depicts a series of calamitous events aboard a space shuttle mission. From there, we zip back in time to 1980 where we meet Joan as a recruit and see how the entire crew arrived at this moment. I don’t have much to say about this book. It might be my favorite TJR book, but it was also just fine. I found the majority of the story to be predictable and the themes of workplace feminism to be heavy-handed. I really liked Joan as a character and appreciated the details Reid provided to fully flesh her out—she really showed us who Joan is. Unfortunately, few of the other characters get the same robust treatment. We are constantly told how perceptive Joan is (about everyone except herself) and then are fed her interpretations of every other character. Still, I kept turning the pages, even though I would say this is on the slower side for TJR books, and I thought Reid did a fantastic job of bringing the world of NASA to life for readers. If you’re looking for something that goes down easy but maintains some substance, this is a good bet.

What a journey this book is! I pre-ordered the audio and will definitely be listening even though I read the ARC...it was THAT good!

Love and acceptance are the main themes, of oneself, of ones family and of ones overall existence in our world.

The story follows 2 astronauts in the early 80's, Joan and Vanessa, as they battle sexism and acceptance or lack-there-of regarding their own sexuality in a world where they are outnumbered by men at NASA. They work hard to attain their goals and while doing so form a bond with each other, but also struggle to stay private in a world of judgement.

Additionally, there is a subplot with regards to Joan's family and how her single mom sister, Barbara, is raising her niece, Frances. She ends up being more of a parent to her niece than her sister and it causes a strain on their relationship.

While the everyday issues of life are happening, a parallel storyline is going on of a space mission going wrong with Vanessa in space while Joan is in Mission Control. They are professionally communicating with each other, while personally trying to speak in code as it is a matter of life or death. Intense, page turning, couldn't-read-the-words-fast-enough reading ensued. I was quite literally on the edge-of-my-seat!

TJR has such a talent for hooking the reader into the story from the beginning and having the reader invested into the characters. She is a must buy author for me anytime she releases something new and Atmosphere did not disappoint. I appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC copy.

Thank the stars for TJR! We need more stories like this. Stories about women like Joan, who quietly, but determinedly, strive for their goals and never give up or back down. Who are unashamed to be the brilliant woman they are. This one is set in the 1980s just as NASA began to look for female astronauts. Having always been fascinated by the stars, Joan decides to apply. This decision changes the entire course of her life. I loved her strength, her goodness, and her obsession and love for her work. The other people in Joan's life were equally layered and fascinating. There is a love story in here that is beautiful. I have never thought of myself as interested in science or space, but Reid made me fall in love with it all. This book opens with a scene that grabs you from the start. I had to keep reading to find out what would happen. I wanted to know more about Joan and those she cared about. I loved the pride I felt for the women who have come before. Reid's writing left my breathless and has me looking up to the sky more than I ever have. Easily my favorite TJR book, I cannot recommend this one enough.

I'm saddened to report that Atmosphere was a DNF read. I just couldn't get into this book. It was really dragging for me, and I couldn't find the motivation to continue on. I loved the idea of this book. I was excited to read a story about the first women astronauts to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Unfortunately, the premise of the story wasn't enough to draw me in. The beginning chapter was hard for me to follow. I wish there was more build up before the malfunction. I found the space jargon hard to understand at points. As the story progressed, the space talk didn't get any better. I could tell that TJR put a lot of research into this book. Although I liked Joan's character, I wasn't enthralled by the other characters. I felt indifferent to them and the relationship between Joan and Vanessa. It didn't matter to me, but I was surprised that this book wasn't being advertised more as a LGBTQ+ book. I didn't mind the different timelines; however, it did feel a little clunky going from a tense timeline to a slower one. The pacing in this book could have been better. I thought the writing was strong and the historical aspects were well researched. Overall, I just found this book a little boring and uneven. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

Set against the fascinating backdrop of NASA's 1980s Space Shuttle program, this novel weaves in plenty of space exploration. I'll admit, I was a little worried I'd get bogged down in the science, and while it did occasionally slow the pace for me, it never truly lost me. What really kept me hooked was the heartwarming sapphic love story; fair warning if that's not your cup of tea.

Joan Goodwin, our protagonist, is incredibly easy to root for. She's smart, strong, and her dedication to her niece, especially with her complex sisterly dynamic, is truly emotional.. The romance between Joan and X (I'm not going to ruin it for you) felt like a delightful bonus, with the main characters beautifully developed, though I wished for more depth from the side characters. Honestly, I really wanted to know more about Hank Redmond! I love the easy going manner and easy comradery he has with everyone.

Overall, I loved how the women in the story broke barriers while remaining so relatable and lovable. Just be prepared: this is an emotional read you might want to save for private if you're prone to tears!

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere: A Love Story marks a bold departure from her signature tales of fictional fame and glamour, venturing into the realm of 1980s NASA to explore a poignant, high-stakes romance. Set against the backdrop of the Space Shuttle program, the novel delves into themes of ambition, identity, misogyny, and forbidden love. You can tell the author put a lot of time and effort researching this time period and Sally Ride and team come to mind quite a bit. The main character, Joan Goodwin, is such a well developed character and we see her grow up enthralled with the cosmos and having a clear direction as to where she wants to go in life.

Joan starts out as a physics and astronomy professor at Rice University, and seizes the opportunity to join NASA’s inaugural class of female astronauts. As she undergoes rigorous training at Houston's Johnson Space Center, she forms deep bonds with her fellow candidates, including the enigmatic aeronautical engineer Vanessa Ford. Their connection evolves into a secret romance, fraught with the risks of exposure in a male-dominated and conservative environment. As their romance takes flight (no pun intended!!), you can just feel the impending crisis developing. The narrative moves between Joan's personal journey and the gripping space shuttle crisis in 1984, heightening the emotional and physical stakes.

The author expertly takes you from the awe of space exploration to the intimate complexities of human relationships. Her meticulous research into NASA’s culture and the challenges faced by women in STEM fields lends authenticity to the narrative. The camaraderie and competition among the astronaut candidates are portrayed with nuance, and the depiction of Joan and Vanessa's relationship is both tender and heartrending. The novel's exploration of themes such as sexism, ambition, and the search for meaning resonate deeply, and are still relevant in many industries today.

As a big fan of 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo', I was impressed to see Reed stretch her range here and create a whole narrative around a real life event. She captures the time and place of that era and takes you back to the time you first saw the space shuttle launch into orbit. Now you know everything that often leads up to that point.

I loved this book! I love a book about strong women breaking barriers, and the women in this book do just that. I've always been fascinated by the stars and by the space program, and Reid has definitely done her research, making me feel like I understood what was happening behind the scenes, and within the human beings who make NASA work. I was on the edge of my feet by the end of the book, awash with tears and hope and love for these characters.

This is a slow burn, but the last 1/3 is sooooooo good. I loved the romance, as well as Joan's relationship with Frances. I was sobbing at the end.

Atmosphere is, without a doubt, the best book I’ve read this year—possibly one of the best I’ve ever read. Taylor Jenkins Reid has outdone herself with this emotionally charged, beautifully layered story that blends space, ambition, and heart with her signature ability to create unforgettable characters and relationships.

What truly made this book shine for me was the incredible bond between Joan and Vanessa. Their relationship was raw, powerful, and tender—so full of nuance and quiet strength. I found myself hanging onto every moment between them, deeply invested in their growth both as individuals and together. It was the kind of connection that stays with you long after the final page.

The dynamic among the new NASA recruits was another highlight. Reid created a stunning portrait of found family, with each character bringing something unique and essential to the group. Their camaraderie, conflicts, and shared dreams felt so authentic—it made me want to be part of their world. And perhaps that’s why what ultimately happens is so utterly heartbreaking. The emotional punch hit hard because I cared so deeply.

Atmosphere isn’t just a story about space exploration—it’s a story about human connection, the cost of chasing impossible dreams, and the people who hold us together when everything else falls apart. A must-read for anyone who loves emotionally rich storytelling with unforgettable characters. Taylor Jenkins Reid has given us another masterpiece.

I can't believe I am writing this, but I have mixed feelings about Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. On one hand, this novel is as well written, engaging, and enthralling as her other work. I particularly enjoyed the setting of this book - 1980s NASA, and all the talk about space/the galaxy/stars. This part was so well done, I loved reading about why Joan wanted to become an astronaut. I adore books about people following their dreams, and as a woman in academia myself I loved the strong, smart woman that Joan was as well as her dedication and drive to grow. I also really appreciated Joan's care for her niece, and felt the relationship between Joan and her sister (though sad at times) was a great additional part of this story. The pace of this story made this book highly readable, as it alternated between one fateful day in December 1984 and Joan's journey over the years to get her to that day. The thriller-like December 1984 chapters were hard to put down. I couldn't wait to read more!!

However, my main complaint about this book was the love story. I am guessing I will be in the minority about this, but it bothered me that the sapphic nature of the primary relationship in this book was not disclosed in the description of the book. Even a few chapters in the book, I was pretty certain I could see where this book was going, and I was right. Such a large portion of this book revolved around the love story that it seems disingenuous to not at least hint at the context of the romance. The book was still well written and overall I enjoyed the story, and the ending was fantastic, but this will make me think twice about reading more by this author. Seems like not much would have been missed by adding a little about the romance in the description of the book, and the benefits to the reader in allowing them to choose what they read about are immense. For various reasons I prefer to not read that sort of romance (or open door romance in general, even though I wouldn't consider this open door) and considered abandoning the book.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

I didn't need Magic 8 ball to help me predict that Atmosphere is going to be one of the "it" books of the summer. Sometimes they live up to to the hype, and sometimes they don't, but Taylor Jenkins Reid's latest is destined to be one of my favorite books of the year. It's hard to review and keep it spoiler free, but, if you only read one book this summer, make it this one. Then go out and look at the stars...

An engaging and sometimes emotional read. The characters of Joan and Vanessa were well done, while the side characters could have been developed more, I wanted to feel more when certain characters died. The ending was a bit abrupt, leaving Joan and Vanessa's careers and relationship open-ended. I think many readers will enjoy the setting of the 198os NASA space program. This is an enjoyable summer read for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid.

The more of TJR’s work that I read, the more I enjoy her work. With each publication her characters and prose continue to get better and better. I love seeing her grow as an author and it makes me so excited for her future works. I really enjoyed this story! It felt so much larger than the rest of her stories but also still felt so familiar because of her writing style. I can’t wait to get my hands on the physical copy to annotate all of my thoughts. Do I know anything about astrophysics? Or engineering? Or space in general? Mostly no lol (I’m proficient in Project Hail Mary?) but this science felt very accessible!
4.25 stars overall!