Atmosphere is a breathtaking journey through ambition, love, and the boundless pursuit of dreams. Set against the backdrop of NASA’s 1980s space shuttle program, it captures the grit and wonder of those who dared to reach for the stars. Joan is a deeply compelling protagonist, her quiet determination colliding with the intense pressures of spaceflight and the unexpected complexities of love. The camaraderie among the astronauts, the razor-sharp tension of their missions, and the emotional depth of Joan’s personal evolution make this an unforgettable read. Taylor Jenkins Reid masterfully blends history, heart, and high-stakes drama into a novel that soars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC digital copy. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Holy shit! My heart is bursting with love and anger along with a newfound interest in the interconnectedness of science and God.

“To look at the night sky is to look at parts of who you once were, who you may one day be."

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a creative genius. Daisy Jones helped me rediscover an appreciation of audiobooks. Evelyn Hugo taught me that real intimacy is being honest about oneself. And Atmosphere reminded me that when you love someone, you love all the versions of who they are. I can’t wait to continue learning life lessons from TJR.

4.5 out of 5 stars and my deepest respect to the author.

I never had the desire to go to space, but now I do! I love TJR and everything the writes, so I always go in with super high expectations. Probably not super fair, but she’s done this to herself! This book was so good. I loved the different timelines. I loved the characters and their development throughout the book. I loved it all. It’s not my favorite TJR, but it’s still a winner. She will always be an automatic read author for me. Love her!!

I recently read Adam Higginbotham's wonderful work on Challenger, which really opened my eyes to space flight and the challenges astronauts face, so I felt primed to read this! While I enjoyed the 80's space ambiance the actual story itself didn't do much for me. Our main character is Joanie, who after her sister mentions NASA is looking for astronauts, specifically lady astronauts, she signs up and gets selected. I would have thought that this process would have made for an exciting and interesting story but we almost immediately jettison that side of it for a formulaic love story and a niece subplot that lacked tension or nuance as well. She falls for one of the other astronauts, but a woman, which in no way was my problem with the relationship, it was just that it was very predictable and the dialogue between them was corny in my opinion, although I am not typically a huge romance reader. She is also dealing with her sister who had a child young which Joanie has always helped her with and even though the sister was the catalyst for her joining NASA she is written as resentful and an absentee parent. The longer this subplot went on the worse it go for me and again just didn't provide anything new or interesting. If I had known that this would be very light on space flight, heavy on romance I likely would not have picked it up, and I did enjoy a lot of what Reid had to say about religion and science and women's place in society, but this one just wasn't for me.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced reader's copy of this novel.
Once again TJR hits it out of the park with another awesome novel. She has chosen another strong woman to lead the role of her main character. This time an astronaut in modern times with modern challenges. Wow. This is such a great story. Another book headed to the big screen. Thanks TJR.

This is one of those books that makes you rethink your whole life. It’s hard to imagine how Taylor Jenkins Reid will top each new release yet here we are. There was something so honest yet meaningful (and also tragic) about this book and the characters and the storyline and the ending that even though i cannot say i’ll ever go to space, i still completely understand. If you need a book to remind you how short and insignificant but also extremely significant our time on earth is READ THIS (when it’s out of course hehe)

Wow! Wow wow wow! Taylor Jenkins Reid once again proves that she is capable of taking her readers on an unforgettable and emotional journey across the cosmos.

Atmosphere is a book about family, love, loss, and the stars that made all that possible. Joan was a fierce narrator, though she wasn't without her flaws. Vanessa was an exciting addition to Joan's busy, somewhat chaotic life. They worked together better than most characters do in this scenario, and I think Joan's ignorance on her own preferences made their tension much more palpable and real.

This book made me laugh, cry, and want to smack Barbara in the face more times than I can count. Reid, who said herself that this book felt like a cultivation of how far she's come as a writer, reminded me how tiny, yet resilient, human beings are in the grand scheme of things. Joan and Vanessa's realizations about themselves once they reached the stars was heartbreaking while simultaneously giving me the warm and fuzzies.

'Atmosphere' may be Reid's best work yet. I only hope that she'll continue to reach deep into the universe for inspiration.

P.S.
The author's dedications at the end had me sobbing so hard I couldn't breathe. Reid's dedication to 'her' Frances was so touching.

Absolutely compelling! I finished this in 24 hours and was quite emotional by the end. I really feel like I got to know and care about the characters, especially since we get to watch them and their relationships develop over the course of several years. The backdrop of NASA in the '80s was super interesting to me... it was honestly what hooked me to read the book in the first place. But I found so much more in here to appreciate. I will definitely be recommending this one!

Absolutely phenomenal! Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again! This book is a breathtaking, inspiring, and deeply emotional journey through the early days of women in space. Joan Goodwin is a character you’ll root for from the very first page—her intelligence, determination, and quiet strength make her impossible not to love.

The training sequences are thrilling, the friendships between the astronauts are beautifully layered, and the challenges they face—both in the sky and on the ground—are heart-wrenching. Reid captures the awe of space exploration while also shedding light on the struggles of women breaking barriers. The historical detail and emotional depth make this story unforgettable.

What truly stole my heart was the relationship between Joan and her niece, Frances. Their bond was so touching and raw, adding an extra layer of warmth and depth to an already incredible novel. And let’s talk about the love story—unexpected, poignant, and perfectly woven into the narrative.

I laughed, I cried (multiple times), and I couldn’t put this book down. Reid’s writing is, as always, masterful—full of heart, hope, and a deep understanding of human connection. If you love historical fiction, space, or just a damn good story, this book is a must-read. Highly, highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Whoever said this book will wreck you wasn’t kidding. I devoured this, and it ended up eating ME alive. The book, fully nuanced and so perfectly done historically can strike a chord with anyone that believes in love. The early comments on this book are so spot on, and after fully bawling my eyes out and trying to explain the plot to my family, I am crushed that I have to wait until June to discuss this with anyone else! TJR, you’ve done it again. This is, in my opinion, her strongest novel yet and so so timeless.

Another great novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I enjoy her prose and felt the delivery of the information balanced well with the plot. Some of the dialogue was maybe a bit awkward/preachy at times, but it didn't detract from the story. This was a very fascinating topic and I enjoyed the love story alongside the tragedy. I learned a bunch too which I always appreciate.

uch an amazing read! So much depth of character, strong relationships and an amazing setting! I highlighted several powerful quotes about commitment, love and adventure. This book changed how i will look at the night sky. TJR showed incredible story craft with the shifting timelines at just the right suspenseful moments. I flew through the pages and didn't want it to end.

4.5 ⭐

Right from the start, Atmosphere grabs you with an intense situation set in space, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The beginning is a bit complex, with multiple characters both on the ground and in space, so I had to reread parts to keep track of who was where. However, once the story gains momentum, it never slows down. The emotional depth of the characters, especially as relationships and family dynamics evolve, carries you through the plot.
The narrative starts in space and then rewinds to reveal how everything builds toward that opening scene. Once again, Taylor Jenkins Reid does not disappoint with her storytelling!
The only reason I held back on a 1/2 star was because I would have loved to gain a bit more closure at the end.

Thank you NetGalley for the privilege of receiving this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is an author I always look forward to reading, but Atmosphere didn’t quite grip me the way her other books have. While it was interesting, the plot felt clunky at times, making it harder to stay engaged. I enjoyed the historical look at women becoming astronauts, but for a character-driven story, I found it difficult to relate to the characters at times. That said, I may be in the minority on this one, and it was still a mid-level read for me. Regardless, Reid remains a must-read author, and I’ll continue to pick up everything she writes. I will recommend to readers without telling my thoughts in hopes for true discussion and feedback. I was so looking forward to this one and I am truly sad that it did not connect for me.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC! Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again, a wonderfully told story about friendship, love, family dynamics and the strive to succeed in a male dominated world in the 70's/80's. Well developed characters, even the minor ones were highlighted enough to be interwoven in this book. The space aspect was detailed enough to understand but not too much to get lost in the technical aspect. Definitely a hit.

Taylor Jenkins Reid? Say no more! I will ALWAYS read a TJR book! This was such an enjoyable read. I usually don't like books that have a ton of research in them, but this one held my interest the entire time. I was fascinated by all of the things this author wrote about in regards to science, NASA and astronomy. I felt this one to go a little slow at times, but it didn't stop me from finishing this book in a day. Highly recommend!

I started with the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and haven't disliked a Taylor Jenkins Reid since! She is reflective and intentional, and you feel a real connection with Joan. Taylor beautifully paints the tale of Joan and her desire to be part of something special. Again, she's successful at taking us back in time, being immersed in her beautifully painted reality.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!!! As a fan of TJR, I was already excited for this book, but after reading it? New favorite. I love Joan and the confidence she has in her abilities: in the days where the concept of female astronauts was still up in the air (but not space), Joan knows her strengths and perseveres through the selection program to eventually become one of the first women in space. Her CAPCOM skills lead her to serve as Houston during a historic space disaster.

If you like NASA and/or books adjacent to "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir, this book will be right up your alley (especially if you don't mind a love story!). I can easily say that this book is currently my favorite read of 2025.

SHE'S DONE IT AGAIN!!! What an incredibly written book. An astronaut love story was not on my list but I am sure glad I gave it a try. It was amazing and made me feel all of the emotions. This book will stay with me and I will recommend it to everyone!

Another home run by one of my absolute favorite authors, Taylor Jenkins Reid. Joan is a science professor with a love for all things stars and space. Aside from a close relationship with her niece, she leads a mostly solitary life. Then she finds out that NASA is seeking women to become part of the space program for the first time, and decides to apply. Once chosen and training is underway she starts to develop relationships with her fellow astronauts and her heart begins to open to love. During a mission, things don't go as planned and Joan is tested like never before. I've really been looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint! Would absolutely love a sequel as I am still thinking about the characters days after finishing the book!