I haven’t loved any of Jenkins Reid’s books beside Evelyn Hugo which is why I had low expectations for this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Atmosphere felt well researched and there were some interesting storylines and themes. It did feel a bit dense (slow) in the middle but I wanted to read on to see what happened.

Thanks netgalley

This Book Destroyed Me!

“Day in and day out, the Earth keeps spinning and revolving and sailing through the Milky Way. That is why time never stands still."

Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again! After writing some of my all-time favorites—Daisy Jones & The Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and Forever, Interrupted-she delivers Atmosphere, a breathtaking, gut-wrenching, and utterly unforgettable novel.

This book destroyed me. I haven’t cried this much since The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros. From the moment Joan Goodwin steps into the NASA astronaut training program, I was hooked. The 1980s space shuttle setting, the brilliant cast of characters, and the relentless pursuit of something bigger than yourself—it’s all here. Vanessa Ford absolutely stole my heart, and Barbara? The ultimate villain. The way this story unfolds is nothing short of cinematic, with twists that left me breathless and moments of pure devastation that will stay with me forever.

If you love NASA, science, and deeply emotional storytelling, this is a *must-read*. Taylor Jenkins Reid has mastered the art of making us fall in love with her characters, only to break our hearts in the most beautiful way.

I have never met a TJR book I didn't absolutely love, so when I started Atmosphere I was a tiny bit worried when I wasn't immediately drawn into the world of NASA. That's on me. Not TJR. And I'm sharing this because by the end of the book, I had fallen so deeply in love with this story and the characters that I had to go back to the beginning and reread the earlier chapters. Every detail. All the research. It was there, and it shaped this story, making it incredibly rich. I'm envious of those who get to experience this book for the first time. TJR proves, once again, that she's the brightest star in the room. Atmosphere will break you apart and put you back together in one single sitting. Highly recommend.

Atmosphere gives us the same niche sense of science, intensity, and high stakes as The Martian or the movie Gravity, but with the relationships and depth only TJR can bring. I related so deeply to Joan Goodwin, who’s committed to her work, a late bloomer in the area of love, and an aunt over everything else. Joan is our protagonist, but we become deeply attached to all of the NASA Group 9 ASCANs (astronaut candidates) - this connectedness makes sense, because Joan is the steady connector amongst this otherwise competitive cast of characters. It is through her colleagues’ eyes that she learns how much more she brings to the table than her intelligence. The story flashes between their years of training and one thrilling mission into space. During STS-LR9, both the astronauts on earth and in space must think and act both quickly and wisely as things go awry and the lives of the astronauts we love hang in the balance. I cried earlier in this book than I think I ever have, because of how dear the characters became and how very visceral and gripping the crisis at hand felt. I found myself whispering the ending to myself as I read it, hanging on to every word with my eyes flying to find out what happened next. Fascinating, inspiring, enthralling. This releases June 3 and is sure to be a hit this summer! I have no doubt it’s already in my top 5 for the year, and a book l’ll never forget.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have read this - it has cemented Taylor Jenkins Reid as one of my very favorite authors.

This book gutted me in the best possible way. I never wanted it to end, but I also couldn’t put it down. Another home run for Taylor Jenkins Reid.

I was really looking forward to enjoying this book due to its historical fiction elements about women working at NASA. Unfortunately, it felt more like a tedious history textbook, making it hard for me to engage with the story. I usually love Taylor Jenkins Reid's work, but this one didn't resonate with me.

An amazing depiction of true love. The pacing was great; never a dull moment. I love the tension throughout the book.

Everything Taylor Jenkins Reid writes is lovely--this is no exception. True love, found family, and the space shuttle. What more could you want?

Atmosphere follows Joan Goodwin, 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. Through Joan's eyes, we experience the rigorous training, the forging of unlikely friendships, and most significantly, an unexpected romance with fellow astronaut candidate Vanessa Ford that challenges everything Joan thought she knew about herself and her place in the universe.
The technical language of NASA and vivid description of spaceflight is seamlessly integrated into the narrative, and the author's descriptions of space itself are often breathtaking. The structure, alternating between the main timeline and the crucial mission in 1984, builds tension effectively as the reader develops a connection to each member of the crew on the shuttle, and those on the ground.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
I love everything Taylor Jenkins Reid writes, and this book was no exception. I love how Reid creates each new book to be so different from her others. It is a great writer who can take on such unique topics and do it so well. Atmosphere begins with a catastrophe and alternates timelines to connect the reader to the characters and the situation that they are in. Well researched, Reid is able to inform the reader about the space program giving context to the characters. This book will be one of my top reads for the year!

Honestly I didn’t understand the way the timeline laid out for 80% of the book. So much of the story is revealed in the very beginning and it made it hard to want to invest. OBVIOUSLY I understand now and once again, TJR nailed it. I enjoyed a book with a different type of setting than I’m used to.. Revolved around space & NASA and badass females who helped shine light on a female taking on a societal ‘male role’. It had me so interested and googled an infinity (lol space) amount of every space/shuttle term. I feel like I learned so much and got a worldly perspective. Went to space & didn’t leave the couch lol.. TJR, you did that! Thank you for the ARC copy & thank you Joan, for being a female real one 🖤

Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again and this is easily the most anticipated book of 2025! A book that was so worth the wait and in a similar vein of TJR's other books.

2.5 rounded up for the second half. The first half was cheesy, very corny, the writing was weird, like maybe she wanted to give it an older feel, but it was only the 80s so why? Second half felt better but still kind of boring and I didn’t really care about anyone. I was really disappointed because I love everything by TJR (until now)

This book is *chef's kiss*. Writing about space, it's hard to convey the majesty of it, the wild of it, the unknown of it, and I felt like TJR managed to do just that. This novel is the one I am most looking forward to recommending upon publication.

I really really really wanted to like this book due to the historical fiction aspects of women working in NASA, but there were some parts I could just not get through.

This was a great 5 star read. I loved everything from the space setting to the family drama. SO GOOD.

Wow this was so so so good (dare I say one of the best books I’ve read in years)!!! I am unwell!!! This was so beautifully-written, thought-provoking, thrilling, heartbreaking, and beautiful. I know this book will stick with me for years to come. Taylor Jenkins Reid has done it again!!!

I am a HUGE TJR fan. I’ve been anticipating a new release since I’ve read all of her other books. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is my favorite book ever so I was coming into this book with high expectations. I never could’ve imagined I would’ve found a book I loved so much that it would be battling Evelyn Hugo for my top spot. This book deserves any award it could possibly receive. As a bisexual woman I caught on very quickly where the romance of this book was heading, but it was done so eloquently. The books ending was very suspenseful and I wish I could know more about Vanessa & Joan, but the story also felt complete.

Atmosphere is a historical fiction, set in the 1980's, as the first female astronauts were joining NASA and being sent into space. The story follows our main character, Joan Goodwin as she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut, while discovering new, equally important dreams and desires she never knew she had.
Atmosphere is a great book about the early space program and the challenges women faced to be a part of it, but it is so much more than that. It is really a story about self discovery, living one's truth, and family. It shows that family isn't always about blood, but about whom one chooses to love and share one's life with. It really made me reflect on my priorities and my place in the universe. I would definitively recommend this book!

Heavy on the space but equally heavy on the drama. A read you won’t want to put down. A beautifully written rollercoaster of emotions.

eARC Netgalley