Atmosphere is an engaging, emotional read that captures the excitement of NASA in the '80s while exploring love, ambition, and family. The novel balances three compelling storylines—the romance between the main characters, Joan’s relationship with her sister and niece, and the intense astronaut training program—without feeling overwhelming. The NASA details are woven in seamlessly, making the world feel immersive without being bogged down by technical jargon. It’s clear an incredible amount of research went into this book.

The pacing, however, felt uneven. The beginning was dense, introducing many characters and laying the groundwork, while the ending felt rushed, leaving certain moments underdeveloped. Joan's character arc was compelling, though at times, aspects of her self-discovery felt a bit sudden. Her relationship with Frances was a highlight, but Barbara, her sister, could have used more depth.

While the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo remains my favorite novel by TJR, this is still an absorbing and compelling read. If you’re a fan of her work, you’ll likely enjoy this one. For those drawn to character-driven stories set against a high-stakes historical backdrop, Atmosphere is well worth the read. Slightly more than a 4-star book. I think this may be BookTok’s new favorite read for the summer!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the eARC. Look for this on shelves on June 3, 2025.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for honest review. Atmosphere is set in the 1980s and candidates for NASA space program are chosen to be a part of the astronaut candidate program. Joan and Vanessa are among the select group of women who hope to pave the way for future women astronauts. However, Joan and Vanessa learn they have to hide parts of themselves if they want to get ahead in the program.

I absolutely screamed when I saw that I got this ARC. Taylor is one of my favorite authors and I will read ANYTHING she writes, they are all phenomenal and I have never read a book from her that isn't 5 stars. This one follows that trend.

I absolutely adored this. TJR really has a talent of introducing her readers into topics or subjects that they may not think they care about and then by the end are truly obsessed with. That was definitely the case of me here and with Carrie Sotto and tennis.

Her strengths are always her characters but I found the plot here to be really compelling as well. We start off on a huge suspenseful moment and spend the rest of the book getting back to that point. I flew through this because I wanted to know how that beginning scene ended! There is so much good here. The representation of characters and seeing how romance and being gay was perceived in a stem field was really hard to read and heartbreaking but also super important to understand.

I was rooting for the characters so much and love that TJR does not follow the traditional romance plot trajectory and instead made it work for her story. Beyond the relationship you get to see two brilliant women with a strong passion in a male dominated field. I loved both of them so much and felt as if I was reading a biography and not a fiction novel. You can tell that she does a lot of research into the books she writes and the knowledge passed along is vast. On top of that you get the difficult family dynamic and a wonderful aunt-niece relationship.

The emotions in here are also super high. I found myself getting emotional at several different points. Her writing is just so beyond beautiful.

There is just so much to love here and TJR nailed every single aspect. God tier women. God tier writer. God tier book. Please never stop writing.

I loved this. Clearly.

This book!!!!! I just don't have words.....so amazing, from start to finish. I can't imagine the amount of research that went into learning about space flight and the amazing women involved!

Atmosphere written by Taylor Jenkins Reid

*Astronaut space adventures
*FF secret relationship
*Found family

I have read every book that TJR has ever published and never thought I would find one that topped Evelyn Hugo. Until now!

Atmosphere is a five star read! The story is truly heartwarming seeing how the characters created their own family, because who else can truly understand the thrills, and the dangers, that are associated with their careers.

Have the tissues ready, you are going to need them!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review this title!

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance
Overall score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️
Characters: Joan & Vanessa

Thank you NetGalley for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. The end.

Seriously, it was a detailed story that started with Joan. We first learn about who she is with her family, a quiet, simple and incredibly intelligent woman who loves her niece with her whole heart and does the right things…always. She applies and successfully enters the space program to become an astronaut. This is a particularly exciting backdrop as the story takes place in the 1980’s, woman are just being considered for the space program. This remains a thread through the story. She develops amazing relationships with her peers, is supportive of each of them without judgment and is competing only with herself. Joan has a solid moral compass with exceptional core values. Each peer is well developed and added something to the “mission”.

Enters a love interest, a fellow astronaut, another woman, Vanessa. Being drawn to a woman is authentically surprising to Joan, but also exciting as she begins to understand what she is feeling. Joan, ever careful and conservative, takes a risk and follows her heart. I appreciated the opportunity to look in on this beautiful love story, the simple innocence and sweet awakening. However, let’s remember it is the 80’s and same sex love was not welcome in the open. Sadly, they are barely accepted now, but 40 years ago, it’s daunting to imagine the cost of loving someone of the same sex in a public, government run program.

The story continues as the couple endures through secrecy. I felt the author gave me a clear picture of what it must be like for same sex couples to hide love they feel so strongly about, as I imagined it, hiding the excitement and deep feelings would be incredibly difficult. In a parallel story, Joan does a beautiful job navigating her relationship with her sister and niece. I found myself rooting for her as her sister took advantage of her selflessness again and again. Her sister felt like a more stereotypical depiction of women of the time.

Joan and Vanessa both have opportunities to go into space. But with the very cutting edge of technology comes risk. There is a harrowing incident that was well described. While I think I knew the choices the heroine would make, I was conflicted for her in the face of likely disaster. The story ended leaving me wanting to know more. An epilogue? Another book? Taylor Jenkins Reid, I need some answers. Thankfully, I have most of the answers I needed, but I am left wanting a whole lot more. That’s a great end. I will think about these characters for some time.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is an author you can always count on. She makes you think. She makes you feel. She makes you care. This book was no different. I honestly had never thought much about the space program and what it meant for women to become astronauts. In this book we meat aspiring astronaut, Joan. Brilliant professor, doting aunt and people pleasing sister/daughter. She is content with her life until she's sees an ad that NASA has put out seeking women scientists in space. Suddenly, she can think of nothing else. As she pursues her dream, she learns more and more about herself even if that means disappointing those she loves. A deeply moving book. I will recommend this to all.

I love Taylor Jenkins Reid, so I fully expected to love this book. But I was SO bored. I wasn't endeared to any of the characters. I was just bored with most of the story and characters.

I absolutely loved Atmosphere.

After being obsessed with space for her entire life, Joan has a chance to become one of the first female space shuttle astronauts. She understands what her crew might not--that being part of a team is more valuable than being necessarily the singular best. As a female, she has to play the game, and yet her innocence is often her biggest asset. Joan's skills end up being put to use as a tragedy unfolds. Fantastic and compelling.

Wow! Loved this book on so many levels and predict this will be wildly popular with the book clubs I serve. I appreciate the research TJR clearly puts into her books and learn so much from her writing.

This book is very good, it took awhile to get going but once it did, wow!
Lady astronauts in love, reflections on God and space travel what more could you ask for?

the way how TJR creates her characters is magical, she’s masterful at being able to make characters you want to know everything about, and make a complete and well rounded story, I will probably end up devouring her backlist thanks to this read

I have been a devotee of Taylor Jenkins Reid since "Seven Husbands" Not only do I love the way she writes but the situations and characters she creates are nothing but fascinating. This book was no difference. Taking inspiration from women astronauts our main character Joan takes us inside of what the training to be an astronaut is really like. There are numerous friendships and relationships but the soul of the book is really about the wonders of space. A true masterpiece I will recommend this to all readers.

First of all thank you so so much for approving me for this book I am so grateful. I put everything down to read this and I am just blown away. I love all of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books but somehow I feel like she’s always able to outdo herself and this time is no exception. I absolutely loved this book. I was not expecting the romance but was very pleased with how it went and we were given hints throughout. The last 9% of this book had me so stressed and I was sobbing on the couch. Just such a good book I highly recommend this one.

I absolutely adored this book! Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors—I’ve read everything she’s written and will continue to do so. Atmosphere is a breathtaking, emotional journey that perfectly captures the wonder of space exploration and the complexities of human connection. Joan Goodwin’s story is inspiring, and the dynamic cast of astronauts makes this novel impossible to put down! Reid once again delivers a powerful, immersive read that lingers long after the final page.

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄
⌚ The 80s
🚀 NASA
👭 Sapphic romance
👩 Strong female leads

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Joan has always had a deep love for space, and in 1980, she finally got her chance to visit it. The story follows the first four years of Joan’s journey at NASA as she navigates the space shuttle program, her complicated family issues, and her blossoming relationship with a fellow astronaut. Told in a dual timeline, we get to see how far Joan has come and how hard she worked to get there.

𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was absolutely breathtaking and I mean that literally—I'm pretty sure I stopped breathing during the last few pages. The writing was beautiful, the story was addicting, and the characters were complex. I loved seeing the character growth in so many different people and I only wish the book had been longer so I could have more time with them. 10,000,000,000/5⭐.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid pulls you in from the very first page with its rich, immersive setting and characters that feel so real, you can’t help but get attached. Reid has a way of crafting emotional, deeply human stories, and this one is no exception. A must read.

I'm a big fan of TJR's books and this one definitely holds up to the likes of 'Evelyn Hugo' and 'Daisy Jones.' Where Reid really excels, in my opinion, is the crafting of characters and the forming of their relationships. I don't often connect with romantic stories but this one really got to me. I will say that my one complaint is that this could be, at times, a little too saccharine and on-the-nose with its sentiment, but it's ultimately still very good

Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again! Atmosphere is breathtaking, emotional, and completely unforgettable. Set against the backdrop of NASA’s 1980’s space shuttle program, this unique novel is so much more than a story about space. It’s about ambition, sacrifice, and love. Joan Goodwin is a brilliant scientist who gets the chance of a lifetime to train as one of NASA’s first female astronauts. Watching her go from professor to space traveler, while forming deep bonds with her fellow trainees was so inspiring. The characters are so well written, and I loved the dynamic between them all. Let’s just say the second half of the book wrecks you in the best possible way. TJR has a way of making historical moments feel personal, and she does it again here!

This was really a beautiful novel. Reid is a wonderful writer, and this holds up to the standard you expect when picking up one of her novels. The relationships felt genuine, and it made me feel hope for how far we have come in America.