It’s 1980 and no woman has been to space yet. When Joan’s sister lets her know NASA is looking for women scientists to apply for the space program she realizes THIS is what she is meant to do with her life. Alternating between Joan’s NASA training and a 1984 mission she’s ground control for when catastrophe strikes, the story of Joan’s life, forbidden love, and NASA career are woven together into a beautiful new story from Taylor Jenkins Reid.

This fast-paced story of women in 1980's NASA space program is yet another stunning read from the author- is it her best yet? I just can't choose...

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid offers her signature engaging writing style and flowing prose, which made the book a fairly easy read. The storyline about NASA and space exploration was intriguing, drawing me in with its potential for excitement and innovation. However, I felt that the focus of the story shifted too much onto the romantic relationship (homosexual) between two of the characters, which overshadowed what should have been the more fascinating elements of the plot. Additionally, the frequent use of "GD" throughout the book felt unnecessary and, for me, it was quite offensive. While I typically enjoy Taylor Jenkins Reid’s work and appreciate her ability to create complex characters and stories, Atmosphere didn’t quite hit the mark for me this time. It had promise, but it ultimately fell short in balancing its themes and tone.

This book should be labeled LGBTQ. I got halfway through and found out after an explicit sex scene between the two main characters. I liked the plot, bad ass women in space, but it is a lesbian love story. Didn't see that coming, would prefer just reading about smart, bad ass women in space. The ending fell flat for me, needed an epilogue. Not my favorite by TJR.

The writer of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones and the Six has done it again! Atmosphere is so well done, it's a gorgeous portrait of NASA's space program in the 80s that manages to be entertaining, emotional, and downright gorgeous. The story was told in a creative and captivating way, the love in this is intimate and real, and the characters are relatable and well-developed. Atmosphere will have you laughing and crying at the same time. Thank you Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC. I have no doubts that this book will be just as successful and popular as Reid's other books!

First, a big thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel “Atmosphere" – “From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s Space Shuttle program about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.” I did not expect to receive a copy of this book and am changed because I did.

Now I know that Taylor Jenkins Reid is an “instant buy” for some readers, I on the other hand have only read “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” and about half of “One True Loves.” That being said, I went into “Atmosphere” knowing it was set in the 1980s, had something to do with space and was a love story. There was just something about this book that I knew I needed to get my little hands on.

To me space is one of the most terrifying thoughts that floats in the back of my brain at all times. The vast endlessness of the void filled with dying stars and endless possibilities is anxiety inducing. However, I love books and movies based on this incredible darkness of galaxies and planets. And “Atmosphere” is packed full of detail that is so spectacular I felt like I was there on the journey of an astronaut in training. While reading this book I struggled to put it down. I didn’t want to sleep, work, or do anything but read this cover to cover.

Our main character Joan is fantastic. She is an astronomy professor whose lifelong fascination with the stars leads her to apply for NASA's Space Shuttle program as they begin accepting women candidates in the 1980s. She is sweet, kind, lonely, and so caring it broke my heart.

I do not want to make comparisons to any other title, but I was halfway through this book and immediately pre-ordered two finished copies, which arrives on bookshelves in June of this 2025. I could not imagine waiting that long to read this book. I have never wanted to annotate a book more than this one. I laughed, I cried, and then I sobbed so hard my husband said to me, “I wish I felt as much emotion when reading a book as you do.” This thing nearly broke me.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is absolutely brilliant in her writing of “Atmosphere.” This story is so emotionally resonant as it explores love, sacrifice, and human connection against professional ambition in 1980s America. Reid strikes the right balance of technical aspects of the space program and the human stories that orbit within it.

Even the acknowledgements in this book are so heart wrenching. As Reid writes, “And finally, as always, to Lilah. I told you the story of Joan and Vanessa the day I finished it. And you listened to every word. You gasped, and you swooned, and then, at the end, you cried. Nothing I’ve ever done creatively has been as satisfying as that. How lucky am I? To be the one to tell you a story. I will tell you stories forever, my love. And eagerly listen to all of yours. Because while the great expanse of space may be enticing, I belong here, with you, looking at the stars from afar.*” How devastatingly beautiful and heart breaking is that? (*Please note that all quotes are provided from the unpublished proof and may not be in the final published version.) This title will be one of my absolute favorites for years to come and is an absolute must read. 5 stars.

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have no words. This was absolutely the most beautiful novel I've ready by Taylor Jenkins Reid yet. Don't get me wrong, all of her writings are amazing, but this... this was out of this world (pun intended)

Joan is such an amazing character. Unsure of herself. Brilliant. Loving. Honest. Kind. Reading this story and being able to witness her find love and accomplish her dreams is truly a story that touches my heart.

Frances - Oh my gosh, my heart ached for her, but having Joan in her life to raise her and be that person she needs is so beautiful.

Vanessa - Vanessa is all of us. Vanessa is the confident woman. Brilliant. Sure of herself. Gorgeous. Unstoppable. The love she and Joan have is exquisite.

This story was so interesting to me not just for the inevitable love interests, but the interesting plot of being the first women in space. Reading about the different ways women are treated vs the male astronauts is disheartening but the way these characters overcame was so amazing to read. I was routing for them all.

Every character is this novel has a purpose and a strong one. I have never cried so much during a story. But not just sad tears, happy ones. I was so proud of these characters, especially being a female reader. I know this will be one of my tops reads for the year, and it's only January.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the arc. I loved every minute and am truly honored to be a first reader.

to infinity and beyond stars!

Four thumbs up! I loved the experience of reading this book. It was classic Taylor Jenkins Reid but fresh and new at the same time.

TJR is on my auto-read. She writes it, I'll love it. Atmosphere was no exception. The family dynamics with Barbara and sweet Francis in this book felt so real and honest. The story was fast paced and emotional. The alternating timelines, one launching the space shuttle/mission and one before to set the scene were nice and worked well to go between. I honestly could have used more story, more details, and technological information, but I get that it is the setting for this drama that is playing out. There are plenty of space books I can follow this one up with. TJR did what she does best, this time with NASA's space shuttle program as its base.


Thank you thank you thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

The last third of this book was intensely compelling, raw, and beautiful. I could feel myself pulling away from the narrative as it started to focus more on the central romantic relationship, but it sharply maneuvered the familial relationships I was much more moved by back into that central plot.

I was worried I wouldn’t end up liking this, but I never should have doubted TJR. 3.5 rounded up! I love you Frances!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I love TJR sooooo much and the space theme was so fun! but 3 stars bc 1) I hate endings that feel very incomplete and this one felt very incomplete. I still have so many questions! An epilogue would be such a gift here. 2) Ugh I just hate when it feels like a couple has to choose between a career and love and it feels like these two are going to have to give up everything they worked for to be together, and unfortunately I don’t find that romantic, I find it sad /:

also it’s just so cruel to start off the book knowing that certain characters die and then grow to love them throughout the book already knowing their fate :,(

After reading The Six by Loren Crush, I found myself even more fascinated with Atmosphere, and this heightened my enjoyment of the story. Taylor Jenkins Reid once again delivers a compelling narrative filled with complex characters, deep emotions, and an immersive setting that pulls you right into the heart of the story. What stood out to me was how The Six gave me a fresh perspective, allowing me to appreciate the depth of Atmosphere even more.

At the beginning, there were so many characters introduced that it was a bit overwhelming, making it hard for me to pinpoint where the story was headed. However, as the novel progressed, Reid masterfully wove their narratives together, and the direction of the story became clearer, making it all the more rewarding in the end.

This would be a fantastic book for comparative reading, especially for those who enjoy analyzing themes, character development, and narrative style across different authors. The way Atmosphere explores its central themes pairs beautifully with The Six, creating opportunities for deep discussions about storytelling, perspective, and emotional impact. While I wished for a bit more development in certain areas, the book left a lasting impression. I highly recommend it—especially to those who, like me, enjoy drawing connections between books and exploring stories from multiple angles.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book by one of my favorite authors!

Friends, I wept.
I wept tonelessly. I wept fearfully. I wept while reading. I wept while walking around my house. I wept so thoroughly I needed to rehydrate.
My friends, I wept.

Frustratingly predictable. I absolutely love TJR books, but this one was flat and, to be honest, deceptive. If you're going to highlight a book as a "love story" then be honest enough up front to call it what it is. The publisher is at fault here as well for not labeling it LGBTQ fiction.
Outside of the romance story, which is typical and not all that interesting, it is the rest of the characters that become the entire drive to finish the book. The relationship with Joan and the joy that Franny brings is truly the highlight of the book. Unfortunately, there's simply not enough of the rest of the "crew" to make it worth it. Overall, a disappointing read.

If you ever clipped photographs and articles about the astronauts, or remember watching breathlessly the space launches as a kid from your classroom, or experienced the Challenge and Columbia disasters, this new offering from Taylor Jenkins Reid will appeal to your fascination with space travel and the men and women of NASA.
The novel focuses on astronaut Joan Goodwin and her classmates and future crew members as they are selected, train, and complete their missions during NASA’s shuttle years. Particular attention is paid to the stories of the women chosen by NASA and the responsibility they shoulder both professionally and personally as they train for the job at hand.
TJR captures the mood and mores of the 1980s, and deftly blends the technical and historical as she reveals the story of her fictional crew. Her technical and scientific details impart realism and discovery without feeling preachy or unnecessarily complex.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Taylor Jenkins Reid novel if there weren’t a strong interplay between complex characters. The familial relationships between Joan and her sister, Barbara and niece, Frances, the love relationship between Joan and a fellow astronaut, the friendships between the other astronauts, and the love of outer space and the adventure of exploration are each elemental to the success of the story.
At first glance, the plot may seem predictable, but Reid writes with tension and suspense that entices the reader to turn the page. Ultimately, she asks each of us to consider how to be our best and to ponder our place in the universe.

What a fantastic book filled with so much love. There is something for most people in this book: science, goals, strong women, romantic relationships, familial relationships, and so much hope and fear. There are elements of suspense -- will Vanessa make it back to Earth? Will Lydia survive? How will Donna cope with the deaths? -- but I would describe this as a book about love through and through. Francis deserves the world, Joan is truly doing her best, and Vanessa's actions make sense. I am grateful to have read this book, and will find myself recommending this to patrons in the weeks to come.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again. Once you meet Joan Goodwin you will fall in love with her, the stars, dreaming big and Francis and Vanessa. For her entire life Joan has loved the stars, looking into space and seeing a world bigger than herself has inspired her to study astronomy and teach at a university. Her path leads her far beyond that to the leagues of NASA and the race to become one of the first female astronauts. The story is so much more than space however, it is also the story of family, friends and love against all odds. Destined to be my book of the year!

Taylor Jenkins Reid did it again. As a girl that grew up in the 80s and wanted to be an astronaut, I knew I had to give this book a try. I was immediately invested in the characters and drawn into their world. I haven't given so much of my emotional well being to a book in a long time, but this one was worth it!

I love the growth of Taylor Jenkins Reid as an author, so I was really excited to receive this ARC. The story of Vanessa and Joan and their experiences as NASA scientists was fascinating. I am not a space person, but Reid turned me into one. I loved hearing about the struggle of females astronauts and how they fought against sexism and misogyny. That part of the book absolutely soared. What I thought bogged it down was the love story and the whole section on Space God. I was thrilled that Joan and Vanessa found true love, but their story, I think, is so much more than just a love story, and that's what their journey feels like by the end. I would have loved another chapter from Vanessa's perspective aboard the shuttle as she faced certain death. TJR writes women who are smart, bold, and clever. I didn't feel Joan or Vanessa were as developed as compared to Evelyn Hugo or Carrie Soto. Good read, but I miss the complexity of her last few books.

Taylor Jenkins Reid did not disappoint with this book. I felt so connected to the main characters and their story. I can’t remember the last time a book made me cry multiple times, not just at the end.

Sometimes your most anticipated book of the year can disappoint because of all the expectations you heap on it. This did not happen with Atmosphere. This was such a beautiful book. The lyrical musings about the heavens and earth was one of my favorite parts. The story was beautiful and heartbreaking. More to come closer to the release date.