What a lovely read! Like all of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books, I found this book to be just as emotional.

I enjoyed Atmosphere, though I found myself more captivated by the space exploration than the central romance, and I sometimes wished for a bit more action. That said, I think that’s just my personal preference. For readers looking for a beautifully crafted love story set against an imaginative backdrop, this one will absolutely deliver.

This story…just not for me. I’ll preface it with having been in a relationship with a lady who had spent her life flying the jets and pursuing a trip to fly to space. A lot of the topics were familiar to me- and in the story, they just fell flat. I’ve read Jenkins before, and Evelyn Hugo destroyed me- absolutely destroyed me, but I just expected more from this story, especially because of all the hype. It felt very much like the author was hitting us with the hot topics, just because they were hot topics, and I just couldn’t get past the feeling of being lectured. Everything felt forced, to me.
Also, I had just read an absolutely fantastic and beautifully written lesbians in space CaitVi fanfic (I would bring you the stars and moon by Gutterwitch - https://archiveofourown.org/works/62233987?view_full_work=true). ) - I know that these two have very different backdrops in history, obviously – but one I would read again and again, and the other is – forgettable.

I have been a fan of this author for a while now. I know when I see a new book from this author, its an auto-buy for me. But this time I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book. The book is about the first women in the NASA program. The characters dreams and wonderment make them strive to make history and making their dreams come to fruition. The writing as usual is amazing and entertaining. The author is an exciting storyteller. The characters are expertly written and the whole storyline is polished and eloquent. In my honest opinion this book is one of the best books I've read this year, and it's a must read.

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this review copy of this book and I am reviewing this voluntarily.

Reid writes the most beautiful love story between Joan and the pursuit of space. The secondary romance, between Joan and Vanessa, is a delightful unraveling of a systemic patriarchy that shows the plight of sexual rights in the 80s. The tension between the disastrous space mission and the character backstory is brilliantly done. I was equal parts excited to read each storyline.

Atmosphere might be THE book of summer! It's a fast-paced novel about female astronauts that will have you on the edge of your seat. Set in the 1980s, Atmosphere explores so many aspects of gender -- what women can and can't do in the workplace and in their personal lives. This is excellent on audio and would pair nicely with the nonfiction book Challenger by Adam Higginbotham. Recommended!

This novel is a gift. I never cry when I read books ever ever ever but this had me bursting into tears. This has me excited to reread it even. I also never reread books let alone anticipate it. Thank you for this book.

This was a very enjoyable read! I learned so much about the space program. I wasn't sure how it would all turn out; it was a wonderful journey.

Atmosphere takes us back to the 1980s when the shuttle program was taking off and women were finally going into space. This dual timeline story opens with Joan Goodwin working in Mission Control for NASA while the shuttle Navigator is on a mission and one time line focuses on the story as tragedy strikes the mission. The second timeline covers Joan being among the first groups of women selected to be astronauts, her training and relationships with the members of her cohort, her tumultuous relationship with her sister Barbara, the way she cares for and takes responsibility for her niece Frances, and her blossoming relationship with her fellow astronaut, Vanessa.

If you are already a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid, this book definitely has the feel of her previous works. Although I had been slightly spoiled to the ending, I still thoroughly enjoyed the ride. It says in the title "Atmosphere: A Love Story" so I was fully expecting the cheesy romance story line, but it mostly delivered. My main beef was with Lydia. I don't want to say anything to spoil the story, so let's just say that I had to deduct half a point for her.

Overall: 4.5./5 rounded up

Absolutely gutted! This book was amazing! I will read her receipts. I love her historical fiction is set in the 1980’s. It’s all original and amazing. The characters are relatable and flawed. They feel like real people. I want to have dinner with Joan and Vanessa.

I wasn’t looking forward to reading this but felt compelled to because of all the positive reviews. I am so glad I did. This book brought so many emotions to the forefront and I couldn’t keep the tears from falling. The characters were unforgettable and became real. Although not everyone makes it, I would like to know what happens past the 1980s with these characters.

TL;DR:
Tender, thoughtful, and full of heart—Atmosphere blends NASA detail with a love story that feels both intimate and unforgettable.

This one had all the things I love in a TJR book: emotional depth, complicated relationships, and themes that stick with you. I really enjoyed how it explored ambition, belonging, and what it meant for women to take up space (literally and figuratively) in the 1980s. The romance felt tender and real, and I loved the found-family feel woven throughout.

It does start a little heavy with all the NASA detail, but once I got into it, I was hooked. The ending was emotional in the best way. I closed the book, already wishing I could read it again.

Atmosphere took me on a rollercoaster ride. It started off strong and then went all the way to the beginning of Joan's journey. The glimpses of going back and forth in this journey made me want more. By the end of this book, I was on the edge, holding back tears. Absolutely loved this nook.

Not my favorite TJR. I had to suspend my disbelief too much and although I really enjoyed the story of the first female astronauts, they felt somewhat one-note to me. The science went above my head, but I’m sure others appreciate it. Ultimately, it was good, but not great.

Okay, wow—Atmosphere completely blew me away.

I’ll be honest: it took me a little while to get into it. The beginning was a bit slow for me, and I wasn’t immediately hooked like I have been with some of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s other books. But once I got past those first few chapters, I was all in. And from that point on, I couldn’t put it down.

The story, the setting, the characters—everything just clicked in such a powerful way. It’s emotional, beautifully written, and surprisingly intense in moments. The love story was especially moving, and there were definitely scenes that made me tear up. I really felt like I was right there with the characters, living through it with them.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has this magical ability to create stories that feel so real, even when they’re set in completely different times or places. Atmosphere might be one of my favorite books she’s ever written—and that’s saying a lot because I’ve loved pretty much everything she’s done. She’s 100% one of my favorite authors, and this book reminded me exactly why.

Honestly, it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. If you’re a fan of TJR or just want something emotional and a little different, I definitely recommend giving Atmosphere a shot. Just stick with it at the start—it’s so worth it.

From a gay woman’s perspective, Atmosphere is queer romance designed for the mainstream gaze: moving, cinematic, and tender, but polished to the point of losing authenticity. It’s compulsively readable, but it doesn’t risk much. For those of us who crave queer stories that feel lived-in and messy, it can come across less as groundbreaking representation and more as “representation that sells.”

I love this book so much! The romance and 80s nostalgia was top notch. The characters are wonderfully depicted. I wish a little more time was spent with the characters once they were in space, but other than that it was great. I highly recommend this book for all collections.

TJR hits it out of the park yet again. Atmosphere transfixed me with the world building TJR infuses into every story. Although historical fiction, I found myself wondering if Joan was real not unlike Daisy Jones and the Six. TJR fans, get ready. This one will not disappoint.

This was one of my top reads so far this year! I was engrossed by the NASA astronaut angle, and the story was so beautifully told. I honestly did not expect to love this book so much. (Warning, have tissues handy!)

I want to do this book justice—because it’s not one you simply move on from. It’s a treasure that stays with you, nestled deep in your heart. I can’t recall another love story that has touched me this deeply, breaking my heart and gently putting it back together again.

Spanning space and time, the story explores vast, existential questions with such grace. It never feels overdone or clichéd. Instead, it awakened that sense of childhood wonder—the awe of the unknown, the hunger for meaning, and the pursuit of joy.

There’s also a beautiful subplot about Joan’s bond with her sister’s child. Their connection felt both magical and achingly real—another thread in this deeply moving tapestry of love in all its forms.