Like just about everyone else in the book world, I adore this author and this book was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I loved the NASA setting of this one. It's really a story focused on the character growth and relationships. The characters were quite likable and I was emotionally invested. The plot, especially what is happening in the beginning (iykyk), was totally gripping and sucked me right into the stakes of the story. The space/science and training aspects were some of my favorite parts. This is my favorite TJR since Evelyn Hugo, sitting right in second place for me.

Set in the 1980s, this novel follows Joan Goodwin, a quiet physics professor who becomes one of NASA’s first female astronauts. As she trains for spaceflight, Joan discovers the thrill of exploration and a profound love that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself.
Reid masterfully blends historical fiction with emotional depth, crafting a story that’s as much about human connection as it is about the cosmos. The romance between Joan and fellow astronaut Vanessa Ford is tender, complicated, and profoundly moving, especially given the societal constraints of the era. The novel also portrays female resilience and the quiet power of chosen family, particularly through Joan’s relationship with her niece Frances.

With vivid NASA scenes, rich character development, and a heart-wrenching finale, Atmosphere is a stellar read that lingers long after the final page. Reid proves again that she can make even the vastness of space feel intimate.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for this ARC!

TJR never fails to write a unique story that stands out. I can't say that I have read any books based on the space program in the 1980's. I appreciated a lot of the conetent in this, but I must be honest, I had a difficult time following some of the space things (I guess I lack some of the background knowledge needed). However, there is enough relationship plot to break up some of the science-y talk. I thougth the romance was interesting and set in the 1980's it was interesting to think about how things have changed (along with how things are still the same). I thought the most interesting piece of the story was the main character's relationship with her niece. I loved how it showcased a family relationship that isn't always a focus in novels. The ending almost got me until the last paragraph!

I have never been able to get through a TJR book, but this one pulled me in and kept me in the whole time. The characters were dynamic and lovable, well except Barb, but thats neither here nor there.

This review contains spoilers.

While reading Atmosphere, I wavered on what my review would be. For awhile, I was staunchly at a 3. Then, as I got to the last quarter of the book, I went up to a 3.5 However, by the time I was done with it, eyes brimming with tears, I decided on a 4.
The reason it started on the low end was because it was very, very technical at the beginning of the book. Taylor Jenkins Reid has really done her research on what it takes to work for NASA. It was incredibly detailed and specific. However, for the first half, I was really missing the story. Once the book picks up the pace on the beautiful love story between Vanessa and Joan, however, I could not put it down. These women, individually and as a couple, were written with such thoughtfulness and respect.
The character of Barbara requires her own, separate paragraph. Barbara was easily one of the most unlikeable characters I've read. It was incredibly frustrating to see Joan always take the high road and not put Barbara in her place. However, to do so, would have seemed out of character for Joan. Your heart does break for Frances, however, you are so happy to know that in spite of her mother's many, many shortcomings, she has a community of people, and strong female role models, who are there for her. The speech that Joan gives Frances after taking her away from boarding school was something that I hope everyone has the opportunity to hear at some point in their lives from a loved one.

All in all, this was a satisfying read. I did mark it as historical fiction (though it took place mainly in the early 1980's) and I think that because it is in the recent past, it would make for an interesting discussion in book clubs to compare whether or not, or how much, things have changed for women in science or people in same-sex relationships.

Pass along to general readers.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am not a crier, but this one got me at the end. I love when a book can give me real information and be compelling enough to read. I'm not interested in space in this way, but this book and the two women at its forefront were compelling. I loved it.

This was a very intriguing and heartbreaking novel that really dealt with love, loss, family, and what it really means to belong. All of the characters in this book all felt so real and fleshed out. Once the disaster happens and the book flashes back to really getting to know all the characters, I felt very invested and felt all of the ache Joan did. I really enjoyed the love story and just how realistic it was to the treatment of women and the LGBTQ+ community in the 1980s. This was a great historical ficti0n, although the beginning was a bit of a slow burn.

This book had me wanting to join NASA, hug my aunt, and sob in a beanbag chair all at the same time. Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid in full command of her powers, turning a dusty year in American history into a glittering, grief-soaked, heart-stretching epic that made me want to believe in space and love and science again. It’s a love letter to science, second chances, and the women history almost forgot.

I will always read a Taylor Jenkins Reid book.

This was paced & written beautifully, and the characters and the growth / realizations / relationships they develop throughout are equally as beautiful.

The ending was a bit predictable but i don’t really think that’s a down side.

This was an amazing story from start to finish. I was so invested in these characters and their lives, TJR never disappoints, her ability to create such an emotional response is a gift. One of my favorite authors of all time!!

5 ⭐️ doesn’t seem like enough 😀

My favorite thing about TJR is her ability to make you intrigued about something you’ve never been interested in. She made me think of space, stars, and astronauts more than I ever have before and I’m super grateful for that. However, this book was probably my least favorite of hers. It was a great book and I enjoyed my experience but I just enjoyed the story and resonated with her other characters more.
I can’t wait to see what TJR does next!
Thank you NetGalley!

Atmosphere is amazing!! TJR is one of my favorite authors and Atmosphere did not disappoint. This book immediately grips the reader, making you adore and root for the main character. I have been thinking about this book ever since finishing it. It was emotional and gripping, leaving you wanting more from all of the characters. 5/5 stars, so thankful for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC! Thanks to Taylor Jenkins Reid and Netgalley for the read!

4.5, rounded up

this was a really fast read, almost a page turner. I loved it. The ending felt very abrupt, though. An epilogue would've helped me wind down after all that crying lol.

also, I hope Barbara chokes. <333

This was not quite the novel I was expecting, but it was a beautiful love story. The stars and sky are cool, but I am not exactly a galaxy girl which didn't matter a bit to me, because I'm also not a surf girl, and loved Malibu Rising. Not a Hollywood girl, and loved Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Not a tennis girl, and still enjoyed Carrie Soto is Back. No matter the topic I am always on board to read Taylor Jenkins Reid.
We know right off that something huge is happening in "current" time, and then we propel back several years to learn how we get to this catastrophic event, and the emotional complexity that is actually taking place. The information on the space side was intense, and sometimes left me in a state of blink...blink....blink, but it's the relationships that Reid is a master of, and this one is definitely another great love story trying to beat the odds. Being next to Joan as she gains confidence in every aspect of her life was fantastic. Her growth was what kept me invested.
On the flip side, it also felt drawn out. I found myself a little bored, which surprised me. I typically tear through TJR novels, but this one didn't offer the same page turning fury I expected. No doubt this novel will average a much better rating than my 3 stars, so don't take my word for it and go grab this one to find out for yourself!

ATMOSPHERE is the latest novel from Taylor Jenkins Reid (Carrie Soto is Back and Daisy and the Six; Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo). Even though ATMOSPHERE received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal and was a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for June, my book group was more enthusiastic about her earlier works. This latest story is set in the mid-1980's and looks in detail at the second class of astronauts chosen to fly the space shuttles. I thought it would be much more about NASA, but instead, the story really focuses on the personal relationship between two female astronauts (Joan Goodwin and Vanessa Ford) and how in that era they have to hide who they are in order to keep their jobs. There's an exploration of motherhood, too: both for Joan's sister (Barbara) involving her daughter, fifth-grader Frances, plus, another female astronaut, Donna, who's a new mother and struggling with discrimination. The plot actually spans several years from their recruitment and training to class members flying in space. The author flashes forward early in the novel so readers are aware of a dangerous accident on one of those missions and alternates time periods until both stories are resolved. The space rescue is moving and well-written; the rest, perhaps paralleling some of Sally Ride's and her peers' experiences, less so. Taylor Jenkins Reid does provide a list of suggestions for further reading which includes The Six by Loren Grush.

3.5 stars overall

Most of this book was just fine then the last 20% was AMAZING. At times there was a bit too much science info, which makes sense for a book about astronauts, but I didn't like it.

I'm not sure this is the best book of the summer, as it's been marketed but it is very good and kept me interested.

I am not even surprised by how much I fell in love with every single character, they were all so flawed and honest and I really wanted the whole crew to be able to make it back to Earth. The emotional peaks and valleys made sense with the time jumps from a couple years before, to the latest mission Joan is CAPCOM for. All passengers on the final mission were people with their own stories and personal issues and I could not imagine having to be in Vanessa's shoes, trying to bring back her four crew mates back safely while having to secure the whole spacecraft by herself.

One word: Griff. That's it, my heart broke, whyyyyy? Hank, Steve and Lydia and the rest of the gang really bonded over the course of a few years and it was so sweet to see their comfort levels get deeper as their conversations and trials went on.

Joan's character felt a little flat, she was basically perfect but somewhat boring to be a main character. I did love her for wanting to be there for her niece Frances even throughout her practice and work, she still made the time to really be there for her in spite of Barbara. I hope we can get another book about Frances, I found her so charming and empathetic.

Thank you to NetGalley, Taylor Jenkins Reid and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

I did not think I cared about astronauts, but Taylor Jenkins Reid is the absolute master of getting me interested in a topic I previously knew nothing about (see: tennis and Carrie Soto is Back). This book was a roller coaster of tension and emotion, and I loved every second. My heart was pounding as I turned to that last page! This is the book that has officially shown me that I'll follow TJR anywhere she wants to take me.

Taylor Jenkin's Reid's Atmosphere evokes some serious nostalgic vibes. Initially, I was a little disappointed at the lack of Easter Eggs or character connections to her other more recent novels, but I definitely understand and respect Jenkins Reid's decision to write something fresh and independent from their past books. The "A Love Story" subtitle seemed to put off some other early reviewers, which is surprising to me, because isn't love is a central theme in all of Jenkins Reid other novels? This timeless coming of age novel embraces female empowerment and perfectly captures the spirit, excitement, and fear of young adulthood. Taylor Jenkins Reid is a master at historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Is it science fiction or romance? It's both. The novel revolves around the central character, Joan, and her trajectory to become a scientist and astronaut. At the beginning, which turns out to be close to the end, she is working the command center at Johnson Space Center, and directing the actions of her colleagues on a shuttle voyage. Then the story goes back in time as we learn about Joan's family and the process of being accepted into the space program and the dynamics among the space center colleagues. The relationship between Joan and Vanessa, one of the astronauts, develops slowly, but it comes as no surprise to the reader that these two women will become lovers. For science fiction fans, the inside look at the astronaut program and shuttle operations will be fascinating and they may want less romance, while romance fans may wish for less science. Mainly, though, the author has created characters that we care about, and suspense that will keep us turning the page.